Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected scar, right thigh and knee was denied as the scars did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 due to their small size and lack of underlying soft tissue damage.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residual scar of the right eyelid has been granted.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for manic depression, alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder as well as headaches to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected right knee condition, which has rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's abdominal scar and post tubal ligation syndrome are granted service connection.,Her right shoulder disorder claim is reopened, but the issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for his right eye disability is denied as it is not shown to be related to active duty. The Veteran's sciatica claim is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for painful surgical scars associated with ischemic heart disease status post CABG from February 7, 2006 through November 18, 2015 is granted. The higher initial ratings requested are denied.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are not related to service, and the Board finds that a current headache disorder was less likely caused by or aggravated by his mental health disabilities.,There is no evidence of a laceration scar in the groin area during service. The Veteran's current scar above the right eyebrow does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's scars secondary to his service-connected residual of liver cancer, including a liver transplant, are being remanded for further evaluation.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, to include on an extraschedular basis, is denied. Service connection for a right knee disability and a compensable disability rating for service-connected scar of the left foot are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left leg lymphedema, a left shoulder disability as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, obesity as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, and an increased rating for the left knee disability due to new evidence and updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of the radiation exposure claim. The Veteran's thyroid cancer is being reviewed, along with claims for radiation and radiofrequency exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to authorize VA to obtain private treatment records. The issues include left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, lumbar spine, and right thumb disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD, CTS of the left and right wrists, and scars on his volar wrists are all rated at their maximum possible under VA regulations. The Board has found that no earlier effective dates can be granted.,VA is remanding the increased rating claims for GERD, CTS (left and right), and scarring to allow for further examination of the current severity levels of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining records from a non-VA medical provider where the Veteran receives care.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability other than the service-connected orbital fracture residuals of the right eye, including as secondary to the service-connected orbital fracture residuals and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals. The evidence did not support a finding that the current right eye disabilities were related to service or aggravated by the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for residual scars status post - surgery of the left orbit was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable, but this reduction is void ab initio due to improper application of regulatory requirements. The rating has been restored to 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for acne scars and related issues due to additional evidence being associated with the case file.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of infectious hepatitis was denied. The claims for service connection for anemia, stomach problems (gastroesophageal reflux disease and abdominal hole with damage/scarred liver), gastritis, hiatal hernia, rectum pain/leakage, and headaches were all denied as secondary to service-connected hepatitis. The claim for service connection for pes planus was remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her stomach disability, varicose veins in the left leg, calluses of the bilateral feet, and right breast scar. The cases are being returned for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar, residual of hernia repair, was denied as the evidence did not support that it is painful or unstable and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hip conditions (claimed as bone deterioration due to radiation) was denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with service. The Veteran's current hip conditions are attributed to avascular necrosis, which may be related to alcohol abuse.