Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, lumbar spine disorder, and inner lower lip scar due to inadequate VA examinations and missing service personnel records.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's knee and TDIU claims due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel scars of the right and left thighs have been granted a 10 percent rating, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as for a painful right knee scar. Additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hand surgical scarring, cervical spine arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The rating for left hand surgical scarring remains at 10%. The rating for cervical spine arthritis has been increased to 10%. Bilateral hearing loss is now considered a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of nonspecific urethritis (prior to July 30, 2019), and residuals of nonspecific urethritis (since July 30, 2019) were denied. The claim for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder was also denied.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions and seeking initial ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings. The Board has remanded these matters to obtain additional examinations and evidence.,The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), and lumbar disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his military exposure history.

The Veteran's cervical neck disability is rated at 30 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The initial compensable rating for his neck scar was denied.

The Veteran's right eye corneal ulcer with corneal scarring does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, that manifested in service or is otherwise related thereto.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple disabilities, including head injuries and knee issues. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the spine and right shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, and arthritis. The Veteran's chronic pain syndrome is also considered to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for lupus panniculitis, sensitivity to cold, head scar, and two right shoulder scars.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings for his back disorder, surgical scars of the left knee, left total knee replacement, and left knee instability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's hernia and scar conditions have not been evaluated since his last VA examination in September 2018. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and spinal stenosis, have rendered him unable to meet most of his daily personal needs without regular aid and attendance from another individual. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's physical limitations.

The Veteran's anemia is rated as noncompensable, and the right and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The scars are rated at 10 percent. The left knee and right knee arthropathies are both rated at 10 percent. The left shoulder and right shoulder rotator tendinopathies are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's anemia is not compensable, as her hemoglobin levels have been above the threshold for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for pulmonary nodules of the right lung and left lung base scarring was clearly erroneous due to lack of presumptive conditions. The Veteran's liver disease and diabetes mellitus were not linked to his service, including exposure to environmental toxins during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2011, to December 29, 2011.,Since December 30, 2011, the Veteran has been in receipt of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for service-connected PTSD and is now receiving SMC based on the need for aid and assistance.