Scars decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the back of the head, but denied service connection for a bilateral elbow condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for the right shoulder disability, including glenohumeral joint instability with painful motion and scar. The claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic neuropathies, and retinopathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU from March 29, 2011.

The Veteran's left hip extension, flexion, abduction, and leg shortening disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.,A compensable disability rating for the Veteran's residual scar has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and congestive heart failure, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the left hand, cervical spine disorder, C5-C6 scarring (secondary to cervical spine disorder), right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing they were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD, right eye disorder, and lumbar spine disability were denied. The claim for a TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for scars, right and left upper extremities status post cryotherapy.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The appeal for entitlement to service connection for head and neck abrasion scar is dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to service connection for shortness of breath is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for his service-connected scars have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right elbow condition and a lower back condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed back disability. The right ankle degenerative arthritis and left thigh scar increased ratings are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for left knee scarring, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and a VA examination for his claimed right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, sinusitis/rhinitis, and cardiovascular conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2008. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot skin graft residuals and TDIU benefits effective March 16, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate July 2020 VA medical opinion, which did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity. The examiner focused only on causation and did not consider aggravation.

The Board denied increased ratings for stress fractures of the right and left tibia, as well as a separate rating for vision impairment related to a scar on the Veteran's right eye. The evidence did not support higher disability ratings due to lack of unresponsiveness to treatment or surgery.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and hemorrhoids are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will consider the service connection claims again after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's disabilities are rated at 100 percent combined, but the Board finds that he does not meet the threshold requirement for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his multiple service-connected conditions.