Scars decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his painful head and left finger scars was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7804, which governs painful scars.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his head scars was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7800, which governs scars of the head, face, and neck.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities, in combination, did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a VA muscle examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new VA medical records and examinations, as well as a need for another VA scars examination and another VA foot conditions examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. Specifically, VA treatment records from the VA Outpatient Clinic in Conroe, Texas need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and associated scars were denied, with the effective date being September 14, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for a right ring finger residual scar is denied, as the current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, stroke, bronchitis, and right knee injury and numbness are all denied.

The Board has granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2016 calendar year due to wear and tear associated with the Veteran's use of a wheelchair, which is used as part of his treatment for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder scars, and left shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for his left finger scar and for an initial compensable disability rating prior to August 4, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for pulmonary fibrosis.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for residuals of a miscarriage and female infertility, both related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is requested to provide medical records from her miscarriage in 1997 and her current infertility issues. VA will schedule an examination to determine if these conditions are related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to or cause his drowning and heart conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Right Elbow Scar service connection is dismissed.,Service connection for Right Ankle Osteoarthritis and Right Foot Disability is granted.

The Veteran's heart disability and hypertension are remanded for further development as the current diagnoses of these conditions have not been established during the appeal period.,Service connection is granted for residuals of a tumor removal (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) and associated scar, both found to be related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to his service-connected conditions, including cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his right knee disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim has also been raised.

The Veteran's partial left achilles tendon rupture with scarring caused marked limitation of motion prior to March 27, 2015 and warrants a higher 20 percent rating as of May 11, 2010.