Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to traumatic brain injury, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, migraine headaches, and left eyebrow scar is granted. The claims for right arm condition, left arm condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot condition, sleep condition, neck condition, and prostate cancer are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an abdominal scar, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and COPD due to conflicting evidence and lack of verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's abdominal gunshot wound with scars has resulted in two painful scars, which are currently rated at 10 percent. The RO denied a higher rating as the scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7804.,Major depression is currently rated at 50 percent and the Veteran seeks an increased rating. TDIU is also sought.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The appellant is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot disorder, PTSD, hernia residuals, back disorder, congestive heart failure, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a penile condition and facial scars due to insufficient development, including failing to schedule VA examinations as directed in previous remands.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions, including whether they are related to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's alopecia is rated at 20 percent effective February 27, 2019. The other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the duties of his current employment as a Constituent Services Liaison with Congressman Aguilar’s office. The Board finds that further education is not warranted due to the Veteran's already suitable educational level and because pursuing additional degrees would not help overcome his 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 3, 2017 did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's MDD was initially evaluated at 50 percent from August 10, 2010 to December 3, 2018. From December 4, 2018 onwards, his MDD is rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left Achilles tendon disability and scar should be remanded to allow for further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic peptic ulcer disease.

The Veteran's right hand disability, specifically the index finger laceration with scar, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The noncompensable rating was assigned based on limitation of motion and the absence of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's emphysema and scarred lung are related to asbestos exposure during service. An addendum opinion is needed considering additional duties and exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to ensure an adequate record for the Veteran's appeal regarding his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being remanded for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the secondary nature of a rash over the Veteran's scar status post colon resection. The Veteran will need further VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a residual scalp scar should be remanded to obtain his National Guard service records from 1973.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from January 10, 2014. The right wrist scar and right hip injury claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, breast lumps, migraine headaches, scars related to hysterectomy and bladder surgery, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), eye pinguecula and iritis with photophobia, bladder condition with stress incontinence, hysterectomy, and PTSD have been dismissed.,PTSD has also been denied for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The appeal regarding non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is dismissed. Initial ratings of 40 percent are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, but no higher. The appeal regarding a biopsy scar is remanded.