Scars Board decisions

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined and for updated VA medical records to be obtained in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder and scar disabilities.

Service connection is granted for chorioretinal scar of the right eye.,Service connection is granted for disc bulge at L5-S1, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and muscle spasms of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints and treatment for low back pain during active duty service, and an MRI in 2015 noted a bulging disc near L5.,The Veteran's current left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and/or lumbar radiculopathy are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to active duty service or any other condition.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of atrial septal defect status post closure and cardiomyopathy, but it is unclear if these conditions are superimposed over his congenital or developmental defects. The examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to active duty service.

The Board has granted an extraschedular total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 22, 2014 to March 18, 2022 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right eye corneal scar, effective from when his claim was filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left middle finger injury and scar, finding that there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to knee, foot, and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions. The Board has determined that these issues require further development due to the complexity of the medical evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to earlier effective dates for the grants of an increased rating for Crohn's Disease and service connection for a scar status-post large intestine resection. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his post-surgical anterior trunk scar is denied, and he is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his Crohn's Disease. His TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the pending claims.

The Veteran's headache disability, rheumatoid arthritis with fevers and chills, and cystoid macular edema, ocular hypertension, and chorioretinal scarring with cataracts are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of service-connected scars, as he withdrew his appeal through a written statement submitted on April 28, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus, right ankle degenerative joint disease, cervical paraspinal tendonitis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and painful scars) have worsened to the point where he requires aid and attendance. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine his need for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for basal cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, scar associated with right Achilles tendon rupture, and right Achilles tendon rupture (right ankle) as well as his claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's claims. Additionally, a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability and diabetes.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received and remands the cases for readjudication by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ). The AOJ must consider all new evidence before issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right leg length discrepancy is denied.,A 10 percent disability rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to January 28, 2016, is granted. The claim for a separate 10 percent rating since January 28, 2016, is denied due to the Veteran having been granted compensable ratings for his service-connected disorders.,The effective date of November 17, 1983, for the grant of service connection for right leg scars and a 10 percent disability rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to January 28, 2016, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his right thigh condition and scar of the right thigh has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right thigh disability has been withdrawn.,Service connection for a left eye disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of causal relationship with in-service events or injuries.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was based on inaccurate facts.,Service connection for a right hip disability is remanded as there is no current diagnosis and the VA examiner did not diagnose the condition.,Service connection for a jaw disability (secondary to PTSD) is remanded due to lack of causal relationship with in-service events or injuries.,Service connection for headaches (secondary to PTSD) is remanded due to lack of causal relationship with in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's back disability, neck scar, and bilateral eyesight loss are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI, posttraumatic headaches, and right elbow laceration with scar due to insufficient evidence of current severity and need for separate ratings.

The Veteran's scar on the right lower extremity is not considered compensable due to its size and lack of instability or pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and for further development of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral feet and right knee.