Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from September 1, 2011 until July 7, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied as the earliest date of claim is March 13, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, and surgical scars disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left cheek facial scar is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, persistent depressive disorder, and a residual scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As such, the Board has granted TDIU effective April 7, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a penile scar, as well as the increased rating claim for right inguinal hernia, are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an updated VA examination and consideration of whether to refer the case for extraschedular TDIU consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability and any related scars.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is not warranted due to her functional capacity, which does not require personal assistance from others.

The Veteran's right eye disability, which includes status-post corneal transplant, corneal scarring, macular degeneration, and pseudophakia, resulted in visual acuity of no worse than 20/70 for the right eye and field of vision limited to no worse than 35 degrees. The Veteran's left eye was not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for numbness and pain from a spider bite is denied as there are no current diagnosed residuals other than the scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder, increased rating for left fifth metatarsal fracture, initial disability rating for postoperative scar of left shoulder, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and providing a new opinion regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's employability prior to September 10, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a total evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) in December 2015, which constitutes a full award of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's neck scar is painful and itches, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800. However, his neck scar has met the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.,The Veteran's right hip scar is painful and numb, but does not result in limitation of motion or loss of function.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted for these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10% rating for the residual scar from shell fragment wound to the back, effective January 12, 2007.