Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected surgical scar associated with degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating as it is not deep or cause limited motion in an area exceeding 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.).

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected head injury substantially contributed to his development of dementia which caused his death. The decision is based on medical opinions supporting this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his abdominal scar, service connection for left ear hearing loss, and service connection for stomach disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected pectoralis muscle surgical reduction and scar of the left pectoralis area are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper back disability, hypertension, respiratory disability (due to asbestos exposure), leukemia, and thymoma cancer with hyperpigmentation and surgical scar, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that VA provide a medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an independent medical expert opinion to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, or if there were any issues with VA care that contributed to his death.

The Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm is rated at 60 percent, effective April 25, 2019. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and a left lower extremity surgical scar were denied as there was no evidence of compensable disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Epstein-Barr virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a post-hernia surgical scar were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right knee strain is remanded. The Board finds an earlier effective date of September 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for scar, posterior trunk.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar disability due to inadequate examination and incomplete records. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service-connected conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at noncompensable (0%) and tinnitus is rated at 10%.,The residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated at noncompensable (0%).,The scar from the right inguinal hernia surgery is rated at noncompensable (0%).,All three issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, macular scars, rheumatoid arthritis, osteopenia, and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination on the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraine headaches, diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy, hypertension secondary to diverticulitis, and depression secondary to diverticulitis have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and rationale in a previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus (right), post-traumatic stress disorder (MST), left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and post right foot hallux valgus surgery scars, do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to December 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly those related to service connection. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability have been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.