Scars decisions — 2022

The Board denied the reopening of claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disabilities, and a dental disability. The claim for service connection for a left elbow scar was reopened but denied.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary tract disorder (frequent urination), excessive thirst, and blunt force trauma to head with scar have been denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) has been granted at a 40 percent rating, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) have been granted at 30 percent ratings, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.,Service connection for non-proliferative retinopathy with macular edema in the right eye has been denied. Service connection for PTSD has been granted at a 50 percent rating, subject to law and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has found that new VA examinations are needed for the issues of entitlement to initial and compensable disability evaluations for service-connected painful scars, right wrist status post ganglion cyst excision associated with ganglion cyst, right wrist status post excision. The remanded exams will evaluate the current level of severity of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, scar above the right eye, and denied service connection for a right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to May 26, 2010 and a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent after July 1, 2010 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show prior to May 26, 2010, the disability to be productive of suppuration or aural polyps, or that his condition was dry and scaly or productive of swelling, serous discharge, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment. After July 1, 2010, no evidence of active suppuration or aural polyps was found.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of caregiver training and the failure to complete assessments within 90 days. The Board has remanded the case to ensure proper completion of these requirements.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for painful residual scarring of the bilateral foot scars associated with bunionectomies was denied. The Veteran also had her claims for initial compensable ratings for residual left and right foot scars denied, as did her claim for a compensable rating for FSAD.,The Board granted service connection on secondary basis for a headache disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, and thus remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU or DEA prior to April 21, 2015. The Board denied his claims as he did not have two or more service-connected disabilities with one disability rated at 40 percent or higher and his combined rating being 70 percent or higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding exposure to asbestos and a lack of compliance with examination requirements. The Veteran's respiratory disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements and there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes, have precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and eye disorders. The appeal is being returned to the RO to attempt to obtain records from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma is granted. The Board also grants service connection for anxiety, bone pain, depression, erectile dysfunction, joint pain, keloid scars, left upper and lower extremity conditions, and right upper and lower extremity conditions as secondary to multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the left lower extremity as a residual of a tibial/shin laceration is granted. The claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's use of incorrectly prescribed Prolixin.