Scars decisions — 2019

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the scar of the left axilla and has remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of prostate cancer, service connection for a keloid scar on the occipital scalp, and service connection for glaucoma are all remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a head injury and scars and burns due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again after further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residual scarring, status post prostatectomy is denied. The effective date assigned was September 3, 2014, based on the filing date of his increased rating claim for prostate cancer with prostatectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The Board also remanded several rating claims for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is primarily due to sun exposure during service, and has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and residual scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeals were not timely filed, and thus the case was closed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and experience.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis status post C2 fracture was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected a fracture of the right radial styloid is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular dysfunction and an ejection fraction greater than 50 percent but less than 7 METs resulting in relevant symptomatology is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected anxiety is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected right wrist scar is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for scars of the left upper extremity and a left rotator cuff tear is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for an examination, and consider any new information provided.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: service connection for a respiratory disorder, early menopause due to radiation exposure, and a pilonidal cystectomy scar on the buttocks. The Board has determined that further development is needed in all three cases.,Specifically, the VA needs to provide an examination or obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate, eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to conflicting evidence of record regarding her service-connected disabilities' impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee strain and bilateral shin splints, but has remanded several other issues including back disability, residuals of broken toes, left inguinal hernia repair scar, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's right calf strain was granted service connection and a 10 percent rating for his left ring finger scar. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and a surgical scar were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Codes 5237 or 7800.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected postoperative neck scars, left ilium graft of right knee and shoulder, residuals of a right shoulder injury, cervical spine disability, and TDIU. The claim for lumbar spine disability was reopened but not granted.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to missing records and unclear specific contentions regarding the incorrect payments made. The AOJ needs to provide detailed explanations of compensation awards, clarify terms like 'gross rate replacement', and request further information from the Veteran.

The appeal is being remanded due to non-compliance with the January 2018 Remand directives. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining a new VA addendum opinion addressing the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of chronic hearing loss during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for TBI is denied as the VA examiner found no relationship between his current complaints and events experienced in service.

The Veteran's fatigue as a residual of his squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa is granted a separate rating.,His hyposmia does not warrant an increased rating, as it has been rated at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.,His hypogeusia remains at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.,The post surgical scar on the left side of the neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent effective from January 9, 2006.,The painful status post surgical scar on the left side of the neck remains at 10 percent since January 9, 2006.