Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's forehead and left forearm scars are granted initial 10 percent ratings.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints, MDD and GAD secondary to PTSD, and migraine headache disability secondary to PTSD is granted.,Service connection for gastroenteritis, chronic bronchitis, and cervical dysplasia is denied.

The Veteran was denied clothing allowances in 2013, but testified at a hearing that he needed them for specific disabilities. The Board finds the matter remanded to issue an SSOC.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since April 3, 2018. The Board finds a need for additional medical evidence to determine if the disability warranted a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD warrant an increased rating beyond the current 40 percent assigned. A remand is required to assess the severity of his condition, including whether functional equivalent of ankylosis exists due to painful flare-ups.,A compensable initial rating for scars associated with back surgery and left shoulder surgery is needed as the Veteran reported painful flare-ups but no estimated loss of motion was provided by the VA examiner.,The Veteran's scar on his midline lumbar spine requires a remand to assess its severity, including whether it meets criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including pulmonary embolism with small cell lung cancer and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities. The Veteran's death during the appeal process means that no final decision can be made on these claims.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, lung disability, and stomach disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinea pedis and pilonidal cyst were not diagnosed or treated during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee scars are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for her two post-operative scars. The case is being remanded to determine if she should receive a higher rating for her right knee disability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide an updated VA examination to assess the severity of her condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and left eyebrow scar are denied. The right hand condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition (claimed as secondary to right knee condition), and lumbar spine condition (claimed as secondary to right knee condition) are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, but the issue of housebound status is moot due to this grant. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear residuals have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing all pending appeals.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating assigned for her service-connected left shoulder disability is remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The right elbow and bilateral plantar fasciitis appeals are also remanded, as well as the cystic acne with scarring appeal which requires a retrospective opinion.,The TDIU appeal is also remanded due to insufficient development of evidence regarding employment in a protected environment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's treatment for his fungal infection with Clobetasol.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 4, 2009, for a 40 percent rating for TBI with migraine headaches (previously Cephalgia) as residuals of a GSW to the skull is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, and therefore, these matters are being remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a scar secondary to a left hip knife wound, diabetes mellitus, back pain, right and left leg disabilities, falls (claimed as poor balance), residuals of traumatic brain injury prior to October 28, 2021, and TDIU prior to October 28, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatic cancer and a scar related to pancreatic cancer surgery, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for two left shoulder scars is denied as there is no evidence that the scars were painful prior to May 29, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of any right arm neurological disability associated with his service-connected Dupuytren's nodule.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his scar, lumbar spine was denied. However, the Board granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for painful scars on the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection are dismissed. The Board remanded several issues including the rating of AML, hemochromatosis, and left buttocks scar.