Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left leg lymphedema, a left shoulder disability as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, obesity as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, and an increased rating for the left knee disability due to new evidence and updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of the radiation exposure claim. The Veteran's thyroid cancer is being reviewed, along with claims for radiation and radiofrequency exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to authorize VA to obtain private treatment records. The issues include left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, lumbar spine, and right thumb disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD, CTS of the left and right wrists, and scars on his volar wrists are all rated at their maximum possible under VA regulations. The Board has found that no earlier effective dates can be granted.,VA is remanding the increased rating claims for GERD, CTS (left and right), and scarring to allow for further examination of the current severity levels of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining records from a non-VA medical provider where the Veteran receives care.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability other than the service-connected orbital fracture residuals of the right eye, including as secondary to the service-connected orbital fracture residuals and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals. The evidence did not support a finding that the current right eye disabilities were related to service or aggravated by the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for residual scars status post - surgery of the left orbit was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable, but this reduction is void ab initio due to improper application of regulatory requirements. The rating has been restored to 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for acne scars and related issues due to additional evidence being associated with the case file.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of infectious hepatitis was denied. The claims for service connection for anemia, stomach problems (gastroesophageal reflux disease and abdominal hole with damage/scarred liver), gastritis, hiatal hernia, rectum pain/leakage, and headaches were all denied as secondary to service-connected hepatitis. The claim for service connection for pes planus was remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her stomach disability, varicose veins in the left leg, calluses of the bilateral feet, and right breast scar. The cases are being returned for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar, residual of hernia repair, was denied as the evidence did not support that it is painful or unstable and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hip conditions (claimed as bone deterioration due to radiation) was denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with service. The Veteran's current hip conditions are attributed to avascular necrosis, which may be related to alcohol abuse.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed eye disabilities other than refractive errors are proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's angioedema is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, but the Board has granted a 60 percent rating based on chronic refractory urticaria requiring third line treatment.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder (MDD) is rated at 100 percent effective March 31, 2017. The Board found that her MDD warranted this rating as of that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.,Her initial claim for a caesarean section scar has been granted with an initial noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's left ear disability and head scars are currently rated based on their service-connected conditions, with no extraschedular rating granted.,The Veteran's left ear disability is not entitled to an extraschedular rating due to the adequacy of the current schedular criteria. The compensable ratings for his hearing loss, tinnitus, and facial nerve paralysis adequately reflect his symptoms.

The Veteran's right eye retinal detachment is granted as service-connected, but a higher disability rating for the detached retina remains denied. A separate 10% rating for his severe corneal scar of the right eye is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection claims for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for scar formation residual to appendectomy/inguinal hernia, has been granted. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence of current severity of service-connected lumbar spine, right and left elbow disabilities. Additionally, a determination is needed regarding housebound-in-fact and aid and attendance special monthly compensation.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a right ankle scar associated with right ankle injury status post internal fixation, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating under VA's skin and scars rating criteria.