Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for right upper jugular metastasis from left palate squamous cell carcinoma and a rating of 10 percent for post-surgical scar excision/high grade myxofibrosarcoma of the right thigh associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and is now required to obtain an addendum opinion from the Director of Compensation Services regarding a single extra-schedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right eye disability and retinal scarring due to a lack of STRs, as they were destroyed in 1973. The Veteran contends that his current condition is related to an injury during basic training where he fell from a height onto nails.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims related to various musculoskeletal conditions, hearing loss, vision loss, and skin conditions. The heart condition claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current heart condition or any relationship to service.

The Veteran's ear scars are rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective September 23, 2019. Prior to that date, the scars were painful and warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has vacated the July 8, 2019 decision denying service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma with scarring due to new evidence not considered at that time. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice as the Veteran died before a final determination could be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent. His ossification of the right ankle and laceration scar of the right foot claims were also denied, but his heart disability and left knee disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for radiation proctocolitis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his residual testicular surgical scar. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions will be remanded, as well as an evaluation of his current disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence that suggests his back, nasal, and ankle conditions may be related to service. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if these conditions are indeed linked to his military service.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals and related respiratory issues are rated at 30 percent prior to December 18, 2015. The Board has remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and polycythemia vera.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left eye and left groin disabilities due to incomplete rating codesheets. The issues have been restated accordingly.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger impairments as well as a compensable rating for his left hand scar. The appeal was based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's vision disability, claimed as secondary to stroke, was denied due to the absence of a recognized eye condition.,Service connection for insomnia, claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness, was denied because it is considered a symptom of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, nonpenetrating muscle injury of the chest due to a GSW, and left chest scar due to a GSW are all granted. The initial rating for PTSD is set at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the evidence does not include sufficient information to determine whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected mitral valve replacement with residual scar and obstructive sleep apnea are not granted increased ratings or service connection, respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to July 28, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular criteria. From July 28, 2014, the Board granted a TDIU based on the evidence showing that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the current disability ratings are already at their maximum levels under applicable VA regulations.