Scars decisions — 2022

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the requirements for VR&E benefits to obtain a Master's degree in Interior Design or Construction Management.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an independent medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran experienced any additional disability as a result of treatment he received from VA, and if so, whether it was caused by carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable throughout the entire appeal period, as he has been working part-time or full-time during this time.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for sinus infections, sleep apnea, and initial compensable disability ratings for service-connected left and right hand and arm burns scars as the Veteran withdrew his appeals through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for an adequate examination. The Veteran's service-connected recurrent pneumonia with lung scarring is claimed as a basis for TDIU, but his other respiratory conditions are also considered.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 17, 2012 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, right hand 5th distal phalanx fracture (claimed as broken pinky), bleeding ulcers, scars (nose, left hand, and left knee), asthma, and deviated septum are all being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, right hand 5th distal phalanx fracture (claimed as broken pinky), bleeding ulcers, scars (nose, left hand, and left knee), asthma, and deviated septum are all being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the exception of periods prior to April 11, 2019 where he did not meet schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from December 16, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities making it impossible for her to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, ingrown toenails, heart condition, digestive disability (gastroenteritis), periodontal disease, liver condition, left lower extremity sciatica, major depressive disorder with insomnia and traumatic brain injury (TBI), DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, right hand DJD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, residual scars of the right eyebrow, and residual scars of the left upper and forearm. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's furuncles (skin condition) with scarring is granted a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's right tibia angulation scar and knee strain.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for the period prior to September 24, 2014 due to insufficient reasoning in the April 2021 decision. The Veteran is already service-connected for PTSD and related disabilities but was not considered for a TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and pulmonary scarring claims are remanded for additional medical opinions to address the relationship between these conditions and service, as well as any potential secondary service connection due to obesity.

The Veteran's chloracne and acne scarring are related to herbicide agent exposure during service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and other issues have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Board will need to obtain updated medical records, conduct new examinations, and provide a thorough rationale for any determinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for other disabling effects of a linear scar, residual of pilonidal cyst excision was denied as the evidence did not show any additional functional limitation or disability beyond what is already accounted for in his service-connected painful scar.