Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, malignant melanoma, and a right abdominal scar (secondary to malignant melanoma) have been granted. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and the scars are considered direct service connections.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a current VA examination and possible METs exercise test.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's increased rating for anxiety disorder claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for lymphedema and an increased rating for scars of the lower legs. The Veteran's claim for lymphedema was denied because there is no evidence linking it to his military service or service-connected scars. For the scars, a higher rating than 10 percent was not granted as they were found to be painful but not unstable.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction. The claim for special home adaptations is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right ankle and left ankle disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran has credible reports of continuous headaches since service, which are related to an in-service injury while playing softball. Service connection is also established for migraines (headaches), low back disability, cervical spine disability, and paresthesia of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be caused by service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The right neck scar as a residual of trichoepithelioma/squamous cell carcinoma is considered under direct service connection theory.

The Veteran has requested to withdraw all of his claims due to receiving a total disability rating based upon unemployability (TDIU). As such, the Board dismisses all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected post-surgical scarring is found to be painful, warranting a separate rating of 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings for the low back disability and GERD are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or materially contributed to by his service-connected disabilities, and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and the claim for death pension benefits due to insufficient income.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since November 5, 2010. The left facial scarring is rated at 80 percent due to the presence of six or more characteristics of disfigurement.

The Board denied service connection for a burn scar on the right leg and a psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a right clavicle fracture with surgical scar is June 2, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar of the right forefinger and scars of the left forearm is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including small bowel resection, pelvic inflammatory disease, major depressive disorder, and other conditions, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's tender scar of the neck, residual of excision of right submandibular gland is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7800, which does not allow for a higher rating due to its protected status. His DJD of the left hip is also rated at 10 percent based on painful flexion and there are no other compensable ratings available. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU from April 30, 2005 to June 4, 2012.