Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining additional VA treatment records and relevant documents from Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense Sharing Agreement VAMC Loma Linda regarding treatment for recurrent rectal bleeding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee condition, back condition, herpes, and scars, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a C-section scar, urinary incontinence, and related disabilities are granted. The remaining claims on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's skin cancer treatment and its impact on his immune system.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for hysterectomy due to uterine fibroids is denied. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU, excluding periods of temporary total evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, PTSD, mechanical low back pain, and lumbar radiculopathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine conditions. The first issue is a request for a compensable rating for his scar, right knee. The second issue is seeking an increased rating for post operative residuals of the right knee torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis prior to June 1, 2018 (except the temporary total period). The third issue is seeking an increased rating for post operative residuals of the right knee torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis as of June 1, 2018. Lastly, the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis with severe DDD at L4/5 and L5/S1 is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability as secondary to a right shoulder disability, and bilateral shoulder scars due to deficiencies in the March 2022 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms from May 26, 2010 to October 23, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD during this period.

The Board has determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed to the June 2015 SOC regarding service connection for multiple conditions. The case is REMANDED for issuance of an SOC and allowing the Veteran to perfect his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right hernia scar and residuals were evaluated, with a denial of increased ratings. The current disability rating for the scar is 10% prior to January 28, 2022, and denied thereafter. The residuals are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various rating claims related to his knee, hip, and radiculopathy conditions. The issues were not pursued further as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH). The claim for a special home adaptation (SHA) grant is denied as moot.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined service-connected disability rating does not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for his left shoulder conditions have been remanded by the Board.,The Veteran was granted service connection for a scar on his left shoulder status-post arthroscopy in June 2016, but is seeking a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of outstanding records. The issues include TDIU, initial evaluations for left index finger conditions, and service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for an umbilical scar has been granted at a 10 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's PFB is not rated higher than 0 percent.,The Board remanded the issues related to service connection and increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability, moderate hemorrhoids, a compensable foreskin laceration scar, or left great toe onychomycosis. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for folliculitis (now characterized as acne), but the claim for service connection and increased ratings for benign prostate hypertrophy were denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 0 percent for a right knee scar has been withdrawn. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his perforated left tympanic membrane and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the right ear drum perforation were both denied.