Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Hepatitis C was dismissed. Effective dates of February 15, 2012 were granted for increased ratings and effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical evidence, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 16, 1996, for the award of service connection for a low back scar due to cyst removal is granted. The Board finds that the June 1996 claim reasonably encompasses the December 2018 claim for the low back scar.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and bilateral scrotal orchiectomy render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to urinary incontinence, which requires frequent diaper changes.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for aortic aneurysm, linear scar, and nonlinear scar disabilities was improper. The appeal is granted as the criteria for restoration of service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular requirements for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 13, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a rectal fissure is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for left hip dysplasia prior to March 21, 2019 is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of her condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a remote left frontal craniotomy for left scalp lump removal is remanded as there are no current findings or symptoms attributable to this condition.,Service connection for a scalp scar prior to April 21, 2022 is denied due to lack of associated underlying soft tissue damage and insufficient disfigurement characteristics.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's scalp scar after April 21, 2022 is remanded as there are no more than two to three characteristics of disfigurement present.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with related depressive symptoms prior to April 18, 2022 is granted at a 50 percent rating. From April 18, 2022, the Veteran's PTSD disability is rated as 70 percent disabling.,Service connection for PTSD with related depressive symptoms from April 18, 2022 is denied due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for scarring as a result of an acid spill on the female area, finding that it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial opinion regarding his employability.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC based on the Veteran's claims, finding that the earliest date of claim was July 14, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on A&A. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on being housebound is moot due to the greater monetary benefit provided by SMC at the A&A rate.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is related to his exposure to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) during service.,The Veteran's left eye macular scar with vision loss, claimed as residuals of shrapnel wound, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete performance of requested examinations. The Veteran was not contacted and did not appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that the withholding of $810.00 for 17 training days in FY 2013 was proper and denied the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment history and work-related injuries. The issues of service connection for PTSD and right knee disorder remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates related to scar of the right lumbar region, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), and IVDS as the Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of all issues in October 2022.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left thumb scar, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient medical records and outdated examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 23, 2015.