Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder and TDIU are also denied.

The Veteran's right index finger scar is not painful or unstable, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's left corneal scar and traumatic iridodialysis are related to an in-service injury. The Board granted service connection for these conditions, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left eye disability (keratoconus, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy) and his service-connected corneal scar and traumatic iridodialysis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's appendectomy residuals and their severity. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine any other residuals not currently service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The issues include anemia, uterine fibroids, corneal scarring in the left eye, and alopecia.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for dysthymic disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, right elbow condition (loose body), right elbow cubital tunnel syndrome, and right elbow scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, scar, status post varicocelectomy, and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gynecological conditions and their relationship to service, specifically Gulf War illness. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her gynecological complaints including miscarriages, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, and irregular menstrual cycles.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding which scars are related to basal cell carcinoma and their characteristics.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left eye corneal scar are found to be related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and eye disorder claims require additional development as the records may not provide sufficient information for a determination.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate 10 percent rating for his painful left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar was granted. The appeal for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected allergic rhinitis was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2015, for the start of payment of disability compensation based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of the grants of service connection was January 1, 2015, but actual payment began on February 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran required aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes mellitus. The appellant's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance as an accrued benefit is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, service connection for various conditions, and a compensable rating for his gunshot wound scars are remanded. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange or toxins from jet fuel is also under consideration.

The appeal for service connection of scarlet fever, chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease is dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete medical records, including those from SSA and VA. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU rating prior to April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's residual hysterectomy scar is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, effective September 13, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for the VA to determine if extraschedular consideration of TDIU on an individual unemployability basis is warranted due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a left tibia scar.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral forearm scar tissue with pruritus, finding that the October 2013 rating decision was not decided based on missing service department records and thus remained final.