Scars decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability due to the full benefit sought being granted in a previous rating decision. The TDIU claim was granted as the Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70% and he is unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left ulnar nerve paralysis and left upper arm/shoulder scarring is dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as he did not return a completed VA Form 21-8940 to support his claim, and there is no evidence demonstrating that he is unable to obtain or retain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of discontinuation of VR&E benefits and her request for retroactive induction, finding that it was not reasonably feasible to achieve a vocational goal given her disabilities and employment history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee condition due to new evidence and development. The left hand laceration scar claim is granted with a 10% rating but no higher prior to March 9, 2021.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the ratings of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative lumbosacral disc disease with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, left ankle avulsion fracture, and scalp laceration scar.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected scar of the anterior trunk, associated with furunculosis is granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed because you opted into the modernized review system under the AMA, and your legacy appeal is now closed.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination, and determining the proper rating for his right knee conditions.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits. The Veteran's claims were received after final decisions, so the earliest possible effective dates are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and basilar scarring of the lungs due to potential exposure to diesel fumes in his living quarters during service, as well as multiple chest X-rays taken within a short period.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disorder and increased rating for right ankle strain are still pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no merits decision was made.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his scars has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in a written statement prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and were not related to service. The Board also found that he was not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

An initial 70 percent rating for residuals of a TBI is granted, effective February 15, 2019.,A 50 percent rating for headaches is granted as of March 7, 2015, and denied prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded her cases for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of her foot conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral breast calcification, claimed as fibrocystic breast disability, is granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, urinary hesitancy, ovarian cyst disability, TMJ disorder, and other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, so his claim for total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.