Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for a left fibrocystic breast lump and left breast scar are denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for recurrent pharyngitis is granted, with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected residuals other than post-surgical scar, status post removal of the left testicle, and deviated septum.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective October 20, 2015. The new and material evidence issue regarding bilateral hearing loss has been recharacterized to reflect the new evidentiary standard under the AMA. The left knee increased rating appeal is denied as there is no severe instability of the left knee. Service connection for Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as she does not have any current residuals from her cesarean section other than a surgical scar.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected miscarriage and hysterectomy was denied. She is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7613.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residual inguinal hernia scar(s) and entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examinations and secure relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The case is remanded for further development regarding his esophageal adenocarcinoma rating and housebound status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for service-connected scars of his cheeks and lower back due to incomplete development and need for new examinations.

The Board denied service connection for severe scarring of the inner thigh as there is no current diagnosis of a skin condition, and the VA examiner found that the Veteran's striae are not considered scars or disfigurements.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, and increased rating for a painful cesarean scar were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawals of her appeals. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a painful cesarean scar was also dismissed.,The claim for service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) with degenerative wear was reopened and granted, while the claim for OSA was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee scar, but remanded other issues including a higher rating for her right knee disorder and service connection for her right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's scars, disfigurement of the head, neck, and face as residuals of cystic acne are granted a 50% rating from September 3, 2009. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and adjustment disorder) is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee scar and a right hamstring muscle tear, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right inguinal hernia and scar have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity and functional impact of the Veteran's right knee scar, particularly during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: (1) reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private orthopedic clinic on June 3, 2013; and (2) prior authorization for non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on May 16 and 17, 2013. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed in both cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including metastatic bilateral lung cancer and brain tumor with focal motor and focal sensory seizure disorder, have rendered him unable to work. Effective June 5, 2015, his service-connected status-post radical prostatectomy is rated at 100 percent due to renal dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 16, 2018 for residual bilateral postoperative scars, carpal tunnel and cubital decompression was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a claim or disability related to the scars prior to the date selected by the RO.