Scars decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10 percent rating for the scar on the right thumb status-post laceration prior to November 12, 2019. The Board also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder from August 22, 2016.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's low back disability, sciatic and femoral radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and a compensable rating for a surgical scar on the back.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to address the severity of his cervical spine disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a right hip condition with scar, due to an oversight in filing.

The Board has granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of use of both buttocks was denied as there is no evidence that the incident caused a permanent disability resulting from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a heart disability and scar associated with ASD surgery due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is alleged to be related to her SVT, which may aggravate her service-connected scars.

The Board remands the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and pressure ulcer, as well as the TDIU claim, due to deficiencies in the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in August 2016 during active service and is considered a disability incurred therein.,Service connection for the left knee disability, including arthritis and strain, as well as surgical scars from open reduction surgeries, has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms before June 25, 2018 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,From September 5, 2006 to June 24, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

Your claims for service connection have been granted, and you are now eligible for compensation for the conditions listed. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board granted service connection for right eye macular scarring, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's case is remanded for further examination and review of her claims, including obtaining private medical records and determining the cause of any additional disability resulting from her hysterectomy.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, hypertensive retinopathy, glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion, epidermal cysts and comedones, and scars related to epidermal cysts have all been granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for status post left shoulder dislocations with arthroscopic repair labrum tear; residual scars of the left shoulder status post arthroscopic repair; painful scars of the left shoulder and right forearm; restless leg syndrome; and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar was denied, and the claims for service connection of skin disability, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

Service connection is granted for a respiratory condition, excluding asthma. Service connection for anxiety or insomnia is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess his current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scar on the right wrist is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision.