Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities and physical conditions make her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. However, the claim is remanded as more information is needed regarding her employment status.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a right knee disability related to service, and to assess the severity of the Veteran's painful scars on his wrist.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and his VR&E files, as these documents are relevant to the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left arm scar was denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,Service connection for a left arm musculoskeletal disability, left arm neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are not related to service or herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left arm scar was denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,Service connection for left arm neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were both denied. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are not related to service or herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing that he filed a claim prior to April 8, 2010.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and an effective date earlier than September 18, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's application for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits was denied because her initial application was received after the 15-year delimiting date, and she did not meet the eligibility criteria due to a combination of her own disabilities and family obligations.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residual scars has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, intermittent numbness of the left hand and fingers, and intermittent numbness of the left knee and lower leg have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD has been remanded to obtain a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back conditions, resection of the large intestine, and removal of left kidney have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to the interrelated nature with other increased rating claims.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle scar. The remaining issues of entitlement to increased ratings for limited motion of the right ankle and right foot tarsal tunnel syndrome, as well as TDIU, are REMANDED.

The Veteran's service connection for facial scar residuals, TBI, and painful left cheek scar was granted with effective dates of August 19, 2010, and November 7, 2016 respectively. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for facial scar residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's malignant melanoma and his military service, particularly exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is requested to provide a medical opinion on whether his current condition may be related to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address his service-connected PTSD, dysuria, and abdominal scars.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for the staphylococcus infection, finding that it has not caused additional symptoms beyond those already considered in other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, requires the regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of his condition. The Board has granted SMP based on this need.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and scars, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, his scars on the lumbar spine are not compensable, and he has a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected folliculitis and back scar were found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, resulting in denial of both claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection, as well as his claim of entitlement to a waiver of recoupment of separation pay. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and all available VA treatment records must be associated with his claims file.