Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for various conditions, including PTSD and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate should be restored due to a lack of proper coding in his previous rating decision. However, the claim is being remanded for further development as it also involves defective vision and whether the Veteran is substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hernia inguinal as secondary to external hemorrhoids with pruritus ani, and chronic sinusitis are being remanded.,Special monthly compensation based on loss of use is granted effective October 7, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development and adjudication due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected peritoneal adhesions with scar of the right rectus.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because they passed away, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate their claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The compensable rating for the surgical scar status/post CABG surgery was not granted, while the diabetes mellitus (DM) and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (PN) were rated at 20 percent.,Effective dates prior to March 7, 2012, for service connection of diabetic PN RLE and LLE were denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a left nasal bridge scar, finding that it did not result from an injury during a motor vehicle accident in service and is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a withdrawal of the appeal. The Board dismissed the case as there are no allegations of errors in the determination.

The Veteran's left shoulder scar had its onset during his active service and is granted. The Veteran's left shoulder disability other than the scar, which he contends was aggravated by a fall due to his right knee condition, did not have its onset during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hysterectomy with scars and urinary incontinence, finding no evidence linking these conditions to her military service or a service-connected disability.,The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol use disorder as PTSD secondary was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the right knee scar and granted separate ratings for left knee extension limitation, instability, flexion limitation, and service connection for endometriosis, cervical polyps, pelvic pain, respiratory disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and anemia.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including thoracolumbar disability, broken nose residuals, facial scars, TBI residuals, and loss of teeth, as the evidence did not establish that these disabilities were incurred in line of duty during active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of a burn scar, right hand, was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder with depressive symptoms, was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 10 percent disability rating for post-operative residuals, surgery, repair of ligaments right thumb and granted a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities that interfere with normal employability.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death or disability rating was not totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,All issues of increased ratings and TDIU have also been withdrawn.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating of scars of the pelvis and left knee, which was dismissed by the Board.

The Veteran's earlier effective dates of July 31, 1983 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been granted.,Remaining issues related to initial evaluations and service connection are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his postoperative residuals of left shoulder dislocation and for a compensable rating for his left shoulder scar, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent or compensation.