Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination, and she needs a new VA medical examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected residual scar from bilateral ovarian cyst removal.

The Veteran's claims for PFB and scars from lacerations are remanded due to outdated VA examinations, and the need for a new examination. The issue of an earlier effective date for the scar disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, abscess, colovaginal fistula, status post laparoscopic sigmoidectomy structural disease, with residuals of epigastric pain, irritable bowel disease (IBS) and scar, are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right arm scar is being remanded due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's statements and the findings from previous VA examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his symptoms, including pain and possible nerve damage.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not clearly identify the specific issues he wanted to appeal in his Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render them unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 14, 2016 for the grant of service connection for a surgical scar was denied. The Board found that entitlement to secondary service connection for a surgical scar could not arise prior to the award of service connection for the primary disability of a neck disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a surgical scar, status post cervical fusion was denied. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent rating, but not higher, for left hand cubital tunnel syndrome was granted. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis changes, cervical spine was denied. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a separate 40 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted. The effective date assigned is November 14, 2016, the date service connection was established for the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was denied. The effective date assigned is not applicable as hypertension does not have an effective date.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the reduction of ratings for left forehead scar and TBI residuals. The reasons are that VA treatment records from September 2015 onwards, as well as SSA disability award records, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for constipation and circulatory issues were denied as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Her claim for PTSD (with major depressive disorder) was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective February 20, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal (GI) disability, to include diverticulitis and a scar as secondary to diverticulitis. The evidence supports the award of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for further adjudication due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye corneal scar and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's employment as a machinist laborer from 2002 to 2014 was considered substantially gainful employment, and he did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date of TDIU prior to May 1, 2014.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left pyelonephritis scar, finding that it was incurred during service and is manifested by a single painful scar.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for Crohn's disease and left hip condition, as well as the rating for HNP. The Veteran's hearing loss and early obstructive lung disease are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for various conditions. The effective dates are not specified as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left index and middle finger scarring was denied. Separate ratings were granted for painful scars of the left middle finger prior to January 21, 2020, and a noncompensable rating thereafter.,An increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inconsistency in the VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral collapsed lung was denied, but he received a grant of a 30 percent disability rating for his chest scars.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities do not interfere with his normal employability, and thus he is not entitled to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's arthritis of the left wrist, right wrist, left hand, and lower extremities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Her Raynaud's syndromes and knee/ankle conditions are also remanded.