Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee conditions and left hip disability, as well as whether these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PID is related to service, including her in-service sexual assault and gynecological operations. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed PID.,The Veteran's Pfannenstiel incision scar was aggravated by active service. An addendum opinion is needed regarding whether this aggravation occurred beyond its natural progression.,The preexisting right oophorectomy did not increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation due to PID. An addendum opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and her PID.,PID may be related to the Veteran's in-service sexual assault and gynecological operations. A clarification opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran's in-service symptoms align with how her current PID developed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than heart disease due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his employment situation and educational background.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases of left hip arthritis and PTSD for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, including the service connection claim for right elbow disability.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for a painful inguinal hernia scar, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were adequately reflected by the current schedular ratings and did not result in marked interference with employment prior to December 15, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since 2004, and a TDIU rating is granted effective January 18, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory and cardiac disabilities, which may be related to exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, a vestibular disorder, erectile dysfunction, constipation, and dry mouth are also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to determine if anyone within VA capacities participated in the surgery at LSUHSC and whether VA care providers were negligent in recommending the procedure.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars related to the removal of his right testis have been granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent each for the scar at the right inguinal region, right lateral abdomen, anterior abdomen, and periumbilical area.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for chronic chin pain, lip/chin scar, and residuals from trauma from an April 1987 tank accident. The claim for service connection for residuals from trauma from an April 1987 tank accident is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 27, 2011 on an extraschedular basis due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer, post vagotomy, with irritable bowel syndrome is granted a 30 percent disability rating from April 19, 2018 to March 3, 2021. The abdominal scar is denied any compensable rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the flexion disability from October 25, 2021 to December 2, 2022. The other issues were either denied or not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran and a previously obtained VA examination report. The claim for an increased rating for scar formation will be reconsidered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal regarding residuals of right wrist injury/surgery is REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability has rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU as of April 18, 2016.

The Veteran's right knee medial instability and lumbosacral spine disability have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 20% rating. The TDIU claim has also been granted.