Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's scar, post-removal of a gallbladder and appendix, was initially rated as noncompensable. However, starting from January 9, 2014, the VA granted an initial 10 percent rating for this condition due to pain and instability.

The Veteran's surgery for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C4-5 in September 2010 necessitated one month of convalescence, leading to a temporary total disability rating (TTDC).

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and left upper extremity burn scars. Service connection is also remanded for bilateral lower extremity stasis dermatitis with venous insufficiency.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted, with a separate rating assigned for a painful facial scar.

The Board denied service connection for a residual scar on the Veteran's forehead and for a traumatic brain injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's left eye scar is granted service connection, while his cataracts are denied.,The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings up to a maximum of 70 percent from December 14, 2010 to April 2, 2014. The right upper extremity radiculopathy has not met the criteria for an initial compensable rating prior to January 17, 2015 and greater than 50 percent after that date.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted a maximum of 70 percent from December 14, 2010 to April 2, 2014. The Veteran was found not disabled for TDIU prior to September 25, 2012 and granted TDIU from that date until April 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, scars, and a headache disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and left knee disability. The right knee disability, spinal stenosis, and migraine headaches are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition, including dry eye syndrome and corneal scar, finding that there is no nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 8, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions related to his military service, including cancer, shoulder issues, taste loss, numbness, fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and other health concerns. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by loss of sense of taste, including any related conditions such as burned tongue or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by numbness of the left side of the face, neck, and chest, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or fatigue. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by chronic fatigue, including anemia and any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual scars related to cancer treatment, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a disability manifested by neurological deficits, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diarrhea and constipation, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and other manner of sleep disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right knee scar was denied as the evidence did not show that he experienced pain in the scar, and both VA examinations indicated the scar was stable and non-painful.

The Veteran's left ankle residual surgical scar is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during non-VA medical services provided at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital and affiliated physicians on specific dates due to a lack of prior authorization from VA, and because no VA facility was not feasibly available for these treatments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include increased disability ratings for left and right knee disabilities, a right shoulder disability, and right shoulder scarring.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to missing records, need for new examinations, and the need for VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin and nail disability on the feet, including tinea pedis and tinea unguium, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and pilonidal cyst with residual scar are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for his pilonidal cyst.

The Veteran's service-connected left humerus fracture with scar is rated at 20 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder scar was initially denied a compensable rating prior to August 2, 2017. A 10 percent rating is granted beginning on that date.,Service connection for heart disorder and bilateral wrist disorders are remanded due to outstanding records.,Right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability ratings are remanded as the Veteran's symptoms have worsened since his last examination in 2014.,Lumbar spine disability rating is remanded as the Veteran's range of motion has worsened since his last VA examination in 2014.,Bilateral foot disabilities and PFB of the face and upper neck are remanded due to outstanding treatment records. Migraine headaches are also remanded for a new examination.,,,