Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, fracture left tibia and fibula, midshaft was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck scars was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain relevant evidence necessary to substantiate the claim, including service treatment records from the Veteran's deployment in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the claims for scars and gunshot wound residuals due to additional development of evidence, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his sternal scar was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for his CAD status post triple heart bypass, myocardial infarction and stent was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to lack of evidence showing he needed regular assistance or was permanently housebound. The TDIU issue is remanded for consideration of entitlement from May 11, 2016 to February 17, 2017.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right knee scars and increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee were denied. The Board remanded issues related to service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and other claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The decision also granted SMC at the housebound rate prior to August 6, 2010.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 1, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 25, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from that date.

The Veteran's facial scars are granted a 10 percent rating. The back and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his left ankle scar is being remanded due to concerns about the accuracy of the VA examination report and the need for further assessment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 9, 2014 due to insufficient development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2012 for the assignment of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since March 14, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, and scar do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal includes all initial ratings assigned for residual scarring from skin cancer under Diagnostic Codes 7800 through 7805, and therefore a new examination is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and left leg amputation, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence or changes in his condition since the last examination. The issues include back conditions, left leg radiculopathy, spinal fusion scars, testicular conditions, and buttocks conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior directives and additional development is necessary.

The Veteran's right index finger scar is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding bilateral foot pain and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.P. and Paradigm Orthopedics.