Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip hypertrophic scar, finding that it is causally related to an in-service injury during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, but the effective date remains to be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bullet wound with myofascial pain, and gunshot wound scar, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 25, 2019. As his combined disability rating was at least 60 percent, he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye disability, including a corneal scar and opacity, is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his back scar is denied as the evidence does not show that any of the scars are painful or unstable, and they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at service entrance and is not presumed to have been aggravated during service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of aggravation, thus denying service connection for this condition.,Service connection for the left knee disability is remanded due to the need for an opinion addressing direct service connection based on the conceded in-service injury.,The Veteran's skin condition (likely Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and hyperpigmented scars) was not related to active service, as there were no in-service or post-service diagnoses of this condition. The remand is for an opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset in service.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depressive disorder) is remanded due to the need for an opinion addressing direct service connection based on the Veteran's reports of in-service left knee injury and/or incident involving a gas chamber.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for status post splenectomy with residual scarring and service connection for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and painful scars of the left arm. His TDIU claim is granted effective July 1, 2021.

The Veteran's asthma, bilateral chronic dry eye, and corneal scar of the left eye are being remanded for further evaluation due to new evidence.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10% since March 2012. The Board granted a 30% rating for GERD effective from the date of the claim, November 2010, based on evidence showing considerable impairment due to persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for a disability rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for total right knee arthroplasty residuals from October 1, 2011. The other issues were either denied or remanded.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tonsil cancer, but has remanded the issues of service connection for scleroderma, neck cancer, neck scar with residual numbness, loss of sense of taste, and removal of lymph nodes due to lack of definitive opinions on their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected tonsil cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address her claims for lower extremity radiculopathies and a higher rating for lumbar spine fusion.,The Board also finds that the issues of TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance are inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left thumb reconstruction and scar contractures has been reopened, and the claims are both granted.

The Veteran's left cubital tunnel syndrome is granted as service connected. The extension of the temporary total disability rating for left knee degenerative joint disease under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 until January 31, 2007, is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of remand. The Board also granted a TDIU from February 1, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, should be remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his weight gain and obesity are caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.