Scars decisions — 2020

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for left hip scar and left ankle impingement has been granted.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder is denied. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for respiratory disability, high blood pressure, diverticulitis with partial colectomy and residual scars, erectile dysfunction, and skin disability. The Board dismissed these issues as a result of the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and right inguinal hernia repair scars, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include service connection for various conditions, but no specific exposure basis or presumption is mentioned.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for service-connected left inguinal hernia, status post herniorrhaphy and a separate 10 percent rating for the residual scar. The Veteran's symptoms caused marked interference with employment.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address due process issues and obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's employment prospects. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including headaches, kidney disability, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, left thumb disability, broken ribs residuals, lipoma scar, and bilateral pes cavus. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for headaches, his claim of service connection for a kidney disability remains pending, he must provide new evidence to reopen his previously denied claim, he needs to establish service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, left thumb disability, broken ribs residuals, lipoma scar, and bilateral pes cavus. The Board will review the claims again after obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected chest scars, claimed as keloids, are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to instability or pain of the scars. For anterior trunk scars, no compensable rating was assigned.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the post-operative scar, is rated at 20 percent since January 1, 2016. This rating is in line with her current symptoms and examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 6, 2015 for special monthly compensation based on Aid And Attendance (A&A) because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance before May 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Veteran's right hip scar was denied an initial higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected scar and a compensable initial rating for hypertension are still pending.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for right ankle surgical scars is granted at 10 percent, effective July 1, 2011 to November 19, 2019. The Veteran's left shoulder strain and right ankle tibiotalar DJD are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral great toe disability, bilateral knee disability, scars, lumbar spine disability, and heart condition have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of VA examination for service connection claims. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of current disability, and his scar on top of head claim requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective November 18, 2003, which was one year prior to his increased PTSD rating claim. The Board found the evidence supported an award on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's major vascular neurocognitive disability, alone, necessitates aid and attendance, which could potentially warrant a higher rate of SMC under subsection (o) and then (r)(1) or (r)(2).