Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's scar residuals from basal cell carcinoma are being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical degenerative disc disease and cervical loss of disc height, is granted. The right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, back disability (lumbar degenerative disc disease, multi-level spondylolisthesis, lumbar loss of disc height, and lumbar degenerative scoliosis), right knee osteoarthritis status post ACL tear repair, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee scar are all granted.,The Veteran's neck disability is linked to his service in the United States Navy, including high impact repetitive activities like running, jumping, squatting, and leaning forward with head down for use of scope. The back disability is related to his years of duty serving in the Navy, as well.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected scars, s/p metacarpal fracture due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected post traumatic arthritis, s/p metacarpal fracture is remanded as there are issues with the adequacy of a previous VA examination.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues of disability ratings for Crohn's disease and abdominal scars, as well as TDIU, are not currently before the Board.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are rated at the maximum schedular disability rating (60%) and no higher due to his use of an appliance.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is not entitled to a higher than 20% rating as he does not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection have been denied. The Veteran was granted secondary service connection for a left knee scar and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, and her claim for service connection for a neck scar is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's neck scar is related to an incident during active duty training in 2018.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened.,Service connection was denied for a left foot scar and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for her scar, status post mastectomy right breast as there was no evidence showing that the scar covered more than 144 square inches (929 square centimeters).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus, right leg length discrepancy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee scars, or limitation of extension and flexion of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The initial non-compensable ratings assigned for the conditions are upheld.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations of record are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's scars.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities (anxiety disorder, right knee osteoarthritis, etc.) preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left knee disability, depression, anxiety, stomach disability, and residuals of mefloquine toxicity due to a duty-to-assist error. The effective date claim for scar of the right breast is denied as there was no intent to file a claim prior to February 15, 2019.

The Veteran's right elbow scar is granted an increased rating of 10 percent. The appeal for service connection for prostate disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. Service connection for gall bladder removal residuals due to Camp Lejeune exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision. The low back scar is rated with a separate 10 percent for pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance, as her disabilities do not meet the criteria for such need.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective January 3, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, neck scars, degenerative arthritis of the neck, and upper extremity radiculopathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from October 8, 2019.