Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's neck scar is rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of characteristics of disfigurement. The Veteran has been found to have painful scars warranting a separate 10 percent rating.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left and right knees are remanded as there may be an intermediate step in causing or aggravating these conditions due to obesity.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left leg and right shoulder disabilities, including range of motion testing in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected scar, shell fragment wound, right temporal noes. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic insomnia and lymphedema affecting both lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2017. Effective from that date, the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to use a wheelchair and motorized scooter for locomotion. The Board granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for follicular infection on the head and chest. The claims for service connection for other conditions are remanded due to lack of evidence showing an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's cyst on the back, diagnosed as a benign lipoma, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his active duty service.,The Veteran's heart disability, consisting of mild aortic calcification and mitral valve incompetence, is also not service-connected because there is no medical evidence showing its onset during or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anterior scar of the right lower leg is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee and left knee disabilities as they have already been granted with appropriate ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for skin cancer, nose and chest scarring post biopsies, and a skin disorder are being reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of metastatic lung cancer with right lower lobectomy residuals and a post-operative back scar due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for abdominal nerve damage and/or painful scars associated with in-service abdominal surgery. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded this case due to issues with the previous decision regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, which was secondary to service-connected gastrointestinal disabilities. The Veteran is advised to provide evidence of military sexual trauma (MST) and in-service psychiatric injury, disease, or symptoms.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for posterior trunk and left knee scars were denied.,A separate 20 percent rating was granted for three painful or unstable scars.

The Board has identified new evidence since the March 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and requests that the Veteran confirm his desire for a hearing. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist laceration and its residuals, including any related scars, tendon or muscle issues, and limitations.

The Veteran's right knee replacement residuals are rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected right knee scar is not compensable. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.