Scars decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is now pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces was denied, but her claim for a back brace was granted due to wear and tear on her clothes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, ocular sarcoidosis, and left shoulder scar were reopened. Service connection was granted for the left shoulder scar but denied for prostate cancer and ocular sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. A remand is necessary to assess the severity of his bowel leakage condition and its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's scars on his cheek, forearm, and upper back are granted a 20% disability rating as they are painful and stable.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual scars is remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's painful scar from January 17, 2012 onward is granted a separate rating of 10 percent. An initial increased rating of 30 percent for trigeminal neuralgia associated with left parotid tumor, postoperative, with residuals numbness in the left cheek is granted but denied any higher rating.

The Board has remanded all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for additional development. The dismissal of the claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder (also claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is due to a full grant of benefits in March 2018.

The Veteran's tension migraine headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling, effective September 21, 2018. Effective January 24, 2014, the Veteran is also granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities with a combined rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected scar status post pilonidal cyst was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer with residual scar, status post radical prostatectomy is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's painful scars residuals of multiple skin cancers are granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's multiple skin cancer residuals remain at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee condition, left knee scar, and dental condition due to insufficient evidence to decide these claims. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's renal cell cancer and its residuals are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service asbestos exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scars of the face as residuals of carcinoma removal is granted, effective from July 31, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not incurred in line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, and thus cannot be granted service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for the periods prior to June 7, 2010, from August 1, 2012 to August 30, 2016, and from October 1, 2017. The claim for TDIU during the period from June 7, 2010 to July 31, 2012 is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination of her service-connected disabilities.