Scars decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's service and his death from pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and continue to this day.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to May 16, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable rating for his back scar is remanded.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with chronic lumbar strain is also remanded.

The Veteran's left foot sprain with calcaneal spur is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, effective October 30, 2017.,A separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left ankle associated with a left foot sprain and calcaneal spur is granted from October 30, 2017.

The Veteran's left eye disability is rated at a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's exertional headaches are rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's head scar is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and a need for further examination. The issues are related to his respiratory disorder, which he contends is caused by asbestos exposure in service, and his scar, which he asserts is secondary to his respiratory disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected condition to his suicide. The appeal for nonservice-connected death pension benefits was also denied.

The Veteran's scar on the right great toe has been evaluated as noncompensable due to its superficial nature and lack of instability or pain. The current evaluation does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his severe back pain and heart condition, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board is remanding all issues for additional development and records.,The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional records, including military personnel records and service treatment records.,The VA psychiatric examination in January 2018 did not provide a clear opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. A new examination is needed.,VA lumbar and cervical spine examinations were inadequate and require further evaluation to determine functional impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his last date of employment.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder, right upper and lower extremity nerve disorders, right shoulder disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), sinusitis, and deviated septum have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete examination reports and additional opinions are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected iatrogenic neurological back pain syndrome and PTSD are granted. The initial ratings for his right lower extremity palsy and paresthesia, insomnia, hernia repair on the right side, and scar, status post hernia repair on the right side are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for dependency benefits were denied as the earliest date entitlement arose was March 17, 2010 for his spouse and minor children K. and A., and June 18, 2010 for his minor child B.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD and his nonspecific interstitial lung disease is already service-connected.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent. The Board found that his occupational and social impairment is best described as 'occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.' For entitlement to TDIU, the evidence shows that the Veteran was last employed in April 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities, which meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left and right hip disabilities, as well as a scar associated with her hip surgeries, are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on functional loss or instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity neuropathy due to insufficient evidence in the record. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, as well as for additional medical examinations.