Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gum disability and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's TBI, headaches, intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, tinnitus, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have led to a TDIU being granted. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impair his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for left index finger laceration with scar and an effective date earlier than February 20, 2013 for the grant of service connection for left index finger laceration with scar have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded cases involving entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD L5-S1, and a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 1, 2018, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for GERD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and her residuals of a fracture of the left fifth toe rating is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a new VA eye examination, and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the entire appeal period. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to lung cancer, neurobehavioral effects from Camp Lejeune exposure, a scar status post left kidney removal, and major depression. The Board has remanded several of these issues for further development.,An effective date prior to June 29, 2009 is granted for the increased rating of 50 percent for major depression.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right foot surgery scar and temporary total disability (TTD) due to convalescence status post right foot bunion surgery and screw replacement, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for left foot and right foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for punji stick wound, with associated scar, of the right calf muscle has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluation due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination. The Veteran needs to undergo new examinations to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and residual scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or being housebound (HB).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is found to be so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability rating and TDIU related to the status post pilonidal cyst scar.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for bilateral tinnitus is dismissed. The claim for service connection for OSA and residuals of a TBI are reopened, but the request to reopen claims for PTSD, hiatal hernia and esophageal ulcer, and abdominal scar are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right peroneal palsy with foot drop did not contribute to his death, which was caused by a motorcycle accident.,The Veteran’s total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) lasted for approximately 5 years before he died.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's cause of death and if so, which ones. The appellant asserts that TBI, PTSD, prostate cancer, and scalp scars may have aggravated hypertensive cardiomyopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including chest pain, sleep apnea, bilateral knee disorder, upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder disorder, acne, facial scars, flatfoot, hypertension, memory loss, bipolar disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic disorder with agoraphobia and depressive disorder), and migraines. The remand requires obtaining relevant VA treatment records, conducting additional examinations to determine the etiology of diagnosed conditions, and scheduling a new examination for migraines.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anal fissures with scarring, effective from January 31, 2017. The claim for hypertension was remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU prior to April 4, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.