Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's groin condition with scar is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.,The Veteran's cerebral hemangioblastoma residuals with scar are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a toxic exposure screening.,The Veteran's pancreatitis, GERD, and cervical spine disability are being remanded as they are intertwined with his cerebral hemangioblastoma claim on appeal.,The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's lymph node condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA toxic exposure screening.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded to obtain an assessment of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to March 18, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left ankle fracture, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left knee scar as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

All appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues.,An effective date of January 26, 2018, has been granted for a 50 percent disability evaluation for headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases of kidney cancer and associated scars, as well as the TDIU claim from December 27, 2017, to October 18, 2018. The issues are related to service connection for these conditions based on asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues related to service-connected residuals of a right breast lumpectomy, bilateral breast reconstruction surgery, and scar residuals. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered, and updated medical records are needed. A VA examination is required to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to August 8, 2014, for the award of service connection for right knee strain and right knee scar.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgical scar is granted a disability rating of 10 percent due to pain, but no limitation of motion or function.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as well as to obtain outstanding medical records. The claims for service connection are remanded in light of this determination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 23, 2016, for right distal forearm residual of fight forearm scar (painful) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 1, 2014, but no earlier, for left elbow scar is granted.

The claims of service connection for an abnormal growth on the back of the head and appendectomy scar have been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.,The claim of service connection for a TBI has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current TBI is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA).,The claims of service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability have been denied. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, training, and work history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his operative scar, but a higher rating may be warranted based on further examination.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for a left wrist ganglion cyst and for the grant of service connection for a left wrist scar.,The claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and ankle conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 22, 2010 to March 8, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, migraines, a deviated septum (claimed as broken nose), and scars. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation prior to February 6, 2019 was denied. However, the Board granted a 20 percent evaluation from that date onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical spine and knee injuries, are found to have contributed substantially or materially to cause the Veteran's death. As a result, DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since the time of his September 5, 2017 TDIU claim and through November 30, 2021, when a 100 percent schedular rating is assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, residuals of a discectomy scar, and neurological disability of the left upper extremity (claimed as left cubital tunnel syndrome).,There is no evidence to support that any of these conditions are related to active duty service.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.