Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's two abdominal scars are painful and warrant an initial compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records, including VA treatment notes from Palo Alto and Martinez. The Board will consider whether her right knee disability is related to her left knee disability and if her varicose veins are secondary to her left leg varicose veins.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its May 2018 remand and, therefore, it may not proceed with a determination on the merits at this time. The Veteran's right knee condition and scar are both being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim as it lacks jurisdiction due to the improper filing of an appeal form and the fact that the decision was issued before the implementation of the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Veteran's postoperative umbilical hernia scar is tender but stable, and does not warrant an increased rating.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for anemia cannot be established as there is no current diagnosis of anemia.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, groin injury with scars, or erectile dysfunction are related to service. The Veteran's active duty service is conceded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection. The rating for hidradenitis suppurativa and erythema nodosum remains denied, as the condition did not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids. The rating for multiple scars from August 25, 2011 to April 24, 2013 is granted at 40 percent. Other issues are either remanded or have not been addressed.

The Veteran's right knee nonlinear scars and painful scars are rated at the highest available levels. The internal derangement with medial meniscus injuries and arthritis, instability, and limitation of flexion are all rated appropriately based on their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion addressing his employability given his service-connected disabilities, as well as discrepancies in his educational and work history.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of scars of the chin and neck, left knee disorder, and hypertension. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a head injury, other than left eyebrow scar and headaches is denied. The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his scars and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims for service connection for his knee disabilities, left ankle fracture, headaches, skin condition of the feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal disease processes to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity residuals of an in-service injury, including a painful and unstable scar on the medial right distal tibia, is granted. The case is remanded for further action regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and effective date for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 6, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left leg scars are rated at a 20% disability rating, effective September 1, 2013. The initial rating for his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (previously diagnosed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is maintained at 30%, also effective September 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected scars related to her hip surgeries are being remanded for further evaluation due to discrepancies in the lengths of the scars and lack of photographs from the previous VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of her scars, including their impact on function.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for a scar from laceration, left lower scalp was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The remaining issues of service connection and increased ratings were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development.,An earlier effective date is denied for all granted conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional VA opinions. The claims are related to amputation of the left leg below the knee, coronary artery disease with peripheral vascular disease, histoplasmosis in both eyes, and scarring of the lungs.