The Veteran's abdominal scars associated with liver transplant surgery are granted a 20 percent rating. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence supports this decision, but also notes that further examination is needed to determine if additional disabilities warrant higher ratings or TDIU.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not adequately assess all current impairments related to the Veteran's liver transplant and shunt placement for esophageal varices. Additional medical evaluations are necessary to provide a complete picture of his disability status.
- Claimed conditions
- Abdominal scars, Liver transplant and shunt placement for esophageal varices
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18129844
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18129844.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the claims for increased evaluations of right groin strain, bowel obstruction, and abdominal scars as they are duplicates of a previously addressed appeal.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, left and right knee arthritis, small bowel resection, abdominal scars, and abdominal surgical scar, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for bladder/urethra scar, painful (claimed as painful urination) is granted. The issues of increased ratings for psychiatric condition and urinary incontinence are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not permanent and total as of September 20, 2016. Therefore, the effective date for her Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits cannot be earlier than September 20, 2016.
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