Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The initial compensable rating claim for right knee scars has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for status post bilateral breast reduction with residual scarring is granted as the surgery was performed in line of duty and she experiences physiological pain.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dermatitis on the right and left legs, and scar formation of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was granted service connection.,Service connection was also granted for prostate cancer, diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was properly calculated using the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in a 90 percent rating as of May 14, 2002. The earlier effective date for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2015.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left breast scar, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a right hamstring tear and service connection for a scar on the right knee. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to new evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new examination to obtain the required DLC test results.,Service connection for COPD, allergic rhinitis, and GERD are all being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the VA examiner found that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right lower extremity are currently rated at zero percent. The VA examiner determined they do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of underlying soft tissue damage and no functional impact.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical myelopathy, status post discectomy and fusion, is denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's surgical scars of the neck are also denied as they do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board dismissed all the Veteran's claims due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 1, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error, including the need for VA to obtain SSA records and private treatment records from September 2010 through June 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip strain, but denied service connection for tinnitus, left knee PFPS, and left cheek scar. The decision is remanded for further action on the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's TBI, chronic gastritis, and sacral area scar are all rated at the minimum level of disability. The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atopic dermatitis, right knee disability, sinusitis, hernia repair scars, and abdominal adhesions, have rendered him unemployable. However, the evidence is contradictory regarding his employability due to these conditions.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from January 28, 2008 to October 18, 2017.,SMC is remanded as there is no effective date provided.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her scar, service connection for pharyngitis, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.