Scars decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's bilateral salpingo oophorectomy and tender scars on her abdomen are related to her active service. The case is being sent back for further review.

The appeal as to hepatitis C is dismissed. The appeals for service connection and rating increase related to the Veteran's low back condition, right leg radiculopathy, neuritis pain disorder of the right upper extremity, and residual scarring of the right hand are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars and knee limitations of motion due to a lack of consideration of revised regulations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left ear scar, posterior trunk scar, lumbar spine disability, fecal urgency and soiling, and hemorrhoidectomy have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and associated conditions. These include rating for the condition, a compensable rating for a surgical scar as secondary to the coronary artery disease, special monthly compensation for housebound benefits, eligibility for Dependents' Educations Assistance, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lymphoma has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for respiratory condition (including COPD and lung scarring) due to chemical, dust, and asbestos exposure.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of a left hydrocelectomy with scar, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant such a rating.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: left axillary nerve damage, left shoulder scar, and effective date for a left shoulder scar. The remaining issues have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, and he is now granted secondary service connection for a right shoulder disability due to his cervical spine disability. The rating for ocular rosacea with chronic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye syndrome remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent is granted for bilateral lacrimal duct disorder. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has not been able to make a fully-informed decision on the issues of service connection for skin conditions and disability ratings for armpit scars due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology and severity of these conditions. The Veteran's symptoms have not been adequately addressed in the current examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, skin condition, and scars due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened, and he is granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma with residual scars. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Board has denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the durational requirements for a total disability rating, and also because he was not a former POW at the time of his death. The appeal is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current condition of his service-connected right knee disabilities, including instability and functional loss.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 30, 2012 and from that date. The Board found insufficient evidence to support TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, scarring (penis), migraine headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or a relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scarring is denied because there is no current diagnosis of a scar. The Veteran had a scar during service but it has resolved, leaving only hypertrophic skin.,The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded as the evidence does not establish a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected status post appendectomy scar is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, left wrist lipoma excision scar, and prostatectomy scar are all denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,Issues related to cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, status post open reduction internal fixation of the right ankle, and status post left wrist fracture remain remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's service connection claims for paresthesia of the left arm, pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, narcolepsy, and a right wrist disability are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction and postoperative abdominal scar, left axilla prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).