Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left shoulder strain has been granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective July 18, 2010.,TDIU was granted effective July 18, 2010.

The Veteran's Dercum’s disease with multiple scars and PTSD are rated at 60 percent effective December 2, 2013. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient post-service medical records, and requests that the Veteran provide any private treatment records for review. The disability ratings will be reassessed based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining missing medical records and ensuring VA fulfilled its duty to assist. The issues of increased disability ratings for chronic left Achilles tendonitis and residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD, as well as TDIU, are now pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected scars status post-basal cell carcinoma surgery and painful scars status post-basal cell carcinoma surgery is being remanded due to the possibility of worsening since the last examination.

The Veteran's request for restoration of a 10 percent rating for his scar associated with left inguinal herniorrhaphy with mesh implant, effective May 30, 2019, is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the same scar and the hypertension claim are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 21, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for chronic multiple lipomatosis with scars, status post lipoma removal due to inadequate examination report.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper assessment in the May 2014 VA examination report, and needs an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's glaucoma is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right thigh and knee scar, rating for anxiety disorder prior to August 29, 2012, rating for anxiety disorder after August 29, 2012, entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic rhinitis but denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury. The lung disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's causes of death were not related to his military service and that none of his service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for his service-connected disabilities is granted. The extension of a 100% evaluation beyond April 1, 2018 for total left knee arthroplasty is denied.

The Veteran's salpingectomy scar is rated at a noncompensable level, but granted an initial 10 percent rating.,The Veteran’s amputation scar of the left middle finger remains at a noncompensable level.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his left knee, left ankle, and right shoulder disabilities. Additionally, a medical opinion is needed regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain and maintain employment.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they cause interference with normal employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has no jurisdiction over these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and the need for further verification of his National Guard and Army Reserve service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including ankle pain, knee disabilities, hand scars, back disability, chest pain, elbow disability, finger fracture, cervico brachial syndrome, and headache.

The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's destroyed tendons left little finger, destroyed tendons left ring finger, use of tendon from index left finger, and left index finger surgical scar as a result of VA treatment.