Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or permanently confined to his immediate premises, thus denying the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or an account of being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation prior to November 7, 2019, for service-connected surgical scars, right and left knees, is denied.,A compensable rating of 20 percent, beginning November 7, 2019, for service-connected surgical scar, right and left knees, is granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings exceeding 60 percent for his service-connected status post total left knee replacement and status post total right knee replacement are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The scar of the left femur was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating, and his depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to September 25, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter after that date were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for burn scars related to mustard gas exposure has been denied.,Service connection for the burn scars was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on and after May 26, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his limited mobility, standing endurance, risk of falling, and difficulty with dressing and bathing.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a scar from a gunshot wound and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a muscle group XIV injury are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on their nature and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of the right 4th finger scar and migraines (headaches) are remanded due to missing VA treatment records. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 0 percent for residuals of right 4th finger disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic head injury, scar on head and nose, and vision problems due to incomplete examinations and lack of treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is already service-connected, so no new rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating has been denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU and SMC based on housebound status from March 17, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of February 25, 2011. TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, and small intestinal resection conditions. Service connection was granted for a right upper back scar.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings as the appellant withdrew his requests prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected chondrosarcoma, right tibia, status post excision via curettage and bone grafting has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.,The Veteran's residual scar of the right anterior tibia does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and toe disability due to a lack of current disabilities. The claims for PTSD, right shin disability, left shin disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are remanded as there is evidence suggesting in-service injury or symptoms.,The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid, to include hypothyroidism and scars status-post thyroidectomy due to a lack of current disabilities. The claim for this condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of scars, service connection for neck disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to incomplete information in the record.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities have been denied. The Board has not assigned a maximum disability rating, which remains before the Board.