Scars decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, right distal third finger fracture, and right third finger scar as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his representative.

The Board has found that remand is required due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and the Veteran's left knee disability and associated scar need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left thumb scar was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing its decision. The right shoulder and left shoulder disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood to include traumatic brain injury was granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's primary headaches were denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of a compensable rating for residual scarring and HPV infection has been withdrawn.,The claim for an evaluation greater than 10 percent prior to January 29, 2021, for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim is being returned for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including hammer toe, painful scars, plantar fasciitis, and foot cramping, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by her military service.

The Veteran's effective date for the award of service connection for a scar on his abdomen, associated with prostate cancer, is July 28, 2009.,The Veteran's effective date for the award of service connection for candidiasis, associated with prostate cancer, is also July 28, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for reductions in disability ratings and severance of service connection were withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The skin condition, right shoulder pain, Gulf War syndrome, and scars are all found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and RUE scars are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,For his eye disorder and tinnitus, the Veteran needs further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 17, 2018, and 20 percent thereafter for residual scars of hernia surgery is remanded. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for residual scars of hernia surgery is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 24, 2017.

The Veteran's rating for a painful scar associated with his inguinal hernia repair was reduced from 10 percent to zero, effective May 1, 2018. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 10 percent rating.,For residuals of left hernia repair, the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7338.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD. The VA examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents, and if they are proximately caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, scar status post CAD, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to inadequate development of evidence. The Veteran's death certificate indicates respiratory failure as a result of COPD/CHF.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to potential increase in severity of his back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and residual surgical scar. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to determine current levels of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist disability has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right wrist, acquired psychiatric disabilities (depression and anxiety), residual scars of the right upper extremity, residual painful scars of the right upper extremity, and right shoulder disabilities manifesting in glenohumeral joint dislocation and limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left total knee arthroplasty and left knee scar, including earlier effective dates for these conditions and increased ratings.