Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected left arm, shoulder, wrist, and scar conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and conduct examinations to assess the severity of his muscle group XIX damage, multiple hernias, scars, and other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The Board has remanded to determine if TDIU should be granted prior to May 21, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected scar disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in the November 2013 VA examinations and need for clarification of the nature, extent, and functional impairment of his scars.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to March 1, 2010, and 60 percent thereafter for residuals of shell fragment wounds, left chest thoracotomy and restrictive pulmonary disease with scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand scar and remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and TDIU. The decision on the right hand scar claim is based on lack of current diagnosis, while the hearing loss claim requires further examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hidradenitis suppurativa and residual scars due to hidradenitis suppurativa. The case was previously before the Board in July 2014, but did not receive a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) as required by regulations.

The Veteran's major depression is granted service connection and a 70 percent rating for TBI from August 28, 2016 to the present. The Veteran's left hand disabilities are not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of hysterectomy with scar and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease lumbar spine without radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability and granted TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and maintaining employment since April 2010. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain updated information about his work history, SSA records, and a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Board denied a temporary 100% evaluation for left knee surgical convalescence beyond February 28, 2014. A rating of 20% was granted for the painful and unstable left knee scar. The issue of a rating in excess of 10% for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60% for the entire initial rating period, and his scars are rated at 10% prior to November 6, 2012, and 20% from that date onwards.

The Board denied service connection for burn scars of the bilateral thighs and genitalia, as well as an increased rating for flexor pollicis longus tendon tear of the right thumb prior to October 23, 2017. The Veteran's claim for a scar on his right thumb was granted with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and chest pain are granted. The claim for a higher rating for her keloid scar is also granted to 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status from August 3, 2011 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's left eye retinal scarring and reduced visual fields due to toxoplasmosis are granted with a 10% rating, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.