Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's MDD was initially evaluated at 50 percent from August 10, 2010 to December 3, 2018. From December 4, 2018 onwards, his MDD is rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left Achilles tendon disability and scar should be remanded to allow for further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic peptic ulcer disease.

The Veteran's right hand disability, specifically the index finger laceration with scar, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The noncompensable rating was assigned based on limitation of motion and the absence of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's emphysema and scarred lung are related to asbestos exposure during service. An addendum opinion is needed considering additional duties and exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to ensure an adequate record for the Veteran's appeal regarding his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being remanded for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the secondary nature of a rash over the Veteran's scar status post colon resection. The Veteran will need further VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a residual scalp scar should be remanded to obtain his National Guard service records from 1973.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from January 10, 2014. The right wrist scar and right hip injury claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, breast lumps, migraine headaches, scars related to hysterectomy and bladder surgery, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), eye pinguecula and iritis with photophobia, bladder condition with stress incontinence, hysterectomy, and PTSD have been dismissed.,PTSD has also been denied for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The appeal regarding non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is dismissed. Initial ratings of 40 percent are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, but no higher. The appeal regarding a biopsy scar is remanded.

The Board denied initial compensable evaluations for hydrocele and a residual scar, both related to the Veteran's service-connected varicocele of the left testicle. The conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's neck scar is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for a neck scar disability is denied.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for burn scars of the face and right forearm, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion and bilateral wrist disability. The issues related to PTSD are addressed separately.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions, including surgical scarring of the neck based on disfigurement and dysphagia (swallowing impairment), was granted. However, his claims for secondary service connection were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than April 6, 2015 for the grant of service connection for residual scarring was denied as it did not meet the criteria. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of August 15, 2012. The Veteran's disability ratings for his right thumb and left thumb disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on hypertension was dismissed. The Court of Appeals granted service connection for coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, with a 10 percent rating assigned for the scar of the right hip.,A mixed disposition is noted due to some issues being granted (CAD) while others were dismissed or not addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear medical opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide dates of her Reserve service periods, as well as any outstanding private treatment records relevant to her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his attorney. The appeal for TDIU is being remanded.