Scars decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The Appellant contends that alcohol abuse was related to his service-connected PTSD, which led to nonischemic alcohol cardiomyopathy resulting in his death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except facial scars have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The appeal for reopening/reconsideration of facial scars is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, claimed as right shoulder pain; dry eye syndrome; cataracts; and dental disability (teeth grinding) have been denied. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability has been reopened but not granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's left leg cutaneous abscess and scar associated with a left inguinal hernia have been granted increased ratings, but the service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The lumbosacral spine disorder is rated at 10 percent, while the small bowel obstruction postoperative condition remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disorder and scar.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected linear and deep scar, as well as for his service-connected circular scar. The case is now REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide a new examination to assess the current severity of his left knee impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, based on his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of her service-connected right foot disability, scar, back pain, and neuropathy. The examiner must address whether her back condition is aggravated by her service-connected hallux rigidus.

The Veteran's right femur fracture with right leg shortening and limitation of motion is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating may be warranted. The claim for TDIU prior to November 25, 2019 remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issue.,The Veteran's service-connected right femur fracture disability requires additional development including obtaining recent VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The AOJ should provide another opportunity for the Veteran to attend the needed examinations and conduct additional development in conjunction with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which is granted as special monthly compensation (SMC).

The claims for higher ratings for mild arthritic changes of the lumbar spine and compensable disability rating for a lumbar spine surgical scar have been dismissed.,A 60% disability rating has been granted for service-connected right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and another 60% disability rating has been granted for service-connected left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical records and to consider whether a TDIU is warranted on an extra-schedular basis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unemployable since August 2011, but he does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to March 16, 2017.

The Board has found that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine surgical scar and his claimed heart disability. The appeal is remanded to allow for these examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lung cancer residuals, including any recurrence or metastasis. The AOJ should also obtain all outstanding medical records, particularly those from VA in early 2021.

The Veteran's skin graft scars are granted a 10 percent rating, and the left toe disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from attending to the needs of nature, caring for herself, or protecting herself from the hazards of her environment. The Board has determined that she is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's scars of the wrists, knees, and left shoulder were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.