Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's uterine fibroids and lower abdominal scars have been granted service connection, with a rating of 30 percent for the scars.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,An increased rating of 40 percent has been granted for the low back disability, effective throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's claims for VR&E benefits, including retroactive payment for education expenses and outside of the United States services, were denied as he did not meet eligibility criteria due to lack of employment handicap and refusal of employment services.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to exposure to in-service acoustic trauma. The rating for shrapnel scars of the right shoulder, right hand, and abdomen, and status post lung resection scars of the left chest remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) as he does not have a single 100% disability and is not permanently confined to his immediate premises due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being received and not reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran is required to respond or a SSOC will be issued.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right index finger scar. The decision is remanded due to outstanding treatment records from the Savannah River Site.

The Veteran's post-surgical facial scar associated with basal cell carcinoma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the highest level of aid and attendance was granted. The Veteran meets the criteria for entitlement to this benefit due to his need for personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a licensed professional, as well as his service-connected disabilities necessitating such care.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings (10%) for the Veteran's status-post 5th metacarpal fracture left hand, residual scar from abdominal hernia repair, and status-post laceration and repair right facial cheek disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, complete the VA Form 21-8940, and schedule an examination to assess the impact of her service-connected conditions on her employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for seborrheic dermatitis, scars related to seborrheic dermatitis, and a back disability due to procedural issues.

Your claims for an initial compensable rating for a chin scar, service connection for chipped teeth, and service connection for a low back disability have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for left ear hearing loss, right thumb scars, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD, as well as to assess the severity of her generalized anxiety disorder, lumbar disc disease and strain, and surgical keloid scar. The issues related to these conditions have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously-denied claims for service connection for scars to face and hands, and sarcoidosis. The evidence received was not new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is not manifested by limitation of flexion to less than 15 degrees, and there is no ankylosis. The Veteran’s service-connected neck scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional records. The issues include rating claims for splenectomy residuals, scar from spleen removal, scar from hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a left knee condition.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a right eye disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral shoulder and arm disabilities due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.