Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an independent medical expert opinion to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, or if there were any issues with VA care that contributed to his death.

The Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm is rated at 60 percent, effective April 25, 2019. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and a left lower extremity surgical scar were denied as there was no evidence of compensable disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Epstein-Barr virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a post-hernia surgical scar were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right knee strain is remanded. The Board finds an earlier effective date of September 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for scar, posterior trunk.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar disability due to inadequate examination and incomplete records. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service-connected conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at noncompensable (0%) and tinnitus is rated at 10%.,The residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated at noncompensable (0%).,The scar from the right inguinal hernia surgery is rated at noncompensable (0%).,All three issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, macular scars, rheumatoid arthritis, osteopenia, and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination on the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraine headaches, diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy, hypertension secondary to diverticulitis, and depression secondary to diverticulitis have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and rationale in a previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus (right), post-traumatic stress disorder (MST), left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and post right foot hallux valgus surgery scars, do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to December 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly those related to service connection. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability have been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability with loss or use of one lower extremity.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected painful scars and linear scars are currently rated as non-compensable. The Board has also found that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's vitiligo was granted service connection as it is related to his active military service.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis with deviated septum status post septorhinoplasty is denied because the disability has not been manifested by at least polyps or without polyps but with greater than 50 percent nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.