Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and a scalp scar. The appeal regarding service connection for atrial fibrillation (claimed as ischemic heart disease) and skin cancer is remanded.

Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran elected Higher-Level Review, which is not within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a scar on the bridge of the nose and an initial disability rating of 10 percent for his right knee disability, but denied service connection for an eye disability to include due to sun damage.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided in prior decisions.,Specifically, the Board found that the VA examinations did not provide sufficient rationale for their negative nexus opinions and required additional examination with an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since November 2, 2009. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for scarring of the right first toe and onychomycosis of the bilateral toes, but denied service connection for scarring of the left toes and a mass on the left thigh. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected hernia disability and associated scar, as well as his requests for service connection for respiratory and heart disorders. The Board also found that a separate rating for his surgical scar of the abdomen was proper and that he did not meet criteria for a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence showing that his PTSD or any other service-connected condition caused, contributed substantially or materially to, or accelerated his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful scars of the upper extremities was granted. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease and shoulder arthritis were denied, as were the initial compensable ratings for PTSD. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected PTSD was granted.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scarring for a crush injury of the index, middle, and ring fingers of the right hand. The Veteran's laceration scars on the left arm and forearm are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's SFW scar of the left arm as of March 22, 2016. The appeal was denied prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded before, but he could not be examined due to incarceration. The Board now finds another examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left and right foot scars, associated with hammertoe surgery. The scars were found to be superficial and not painful or unstable.

The Board denied service connection for right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma with right neck metastasis due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as secondary service connection for jawbone implantation, speech impediment, throat scarring, facial scarring, and bone graft scar right leg and skin graft scar left leg.,The denial is based on the lack of a link between the Veteran's conditions and his in-service herbicide exposure.

The case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected left thigh scars.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The appeal for initial compensable disability ratings for various conditions, including a scar on the bridge of nose as a residual of nose fracture and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected broken nose, is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for tuberculosis residuals and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Barrett’s disease, status post removal of the gall bladder, and left ear hearing loss. The Board also remanded issues regarding scar on the abdomen (secondary to status post removal of the gall bladder) and bilateral tibial axonal neuropathy.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a scar on his abdomen is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and residual scar to the right side of the anterior chest wall s/p surgery are granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) is also granted.