Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's application for annual clothing allowances for 2015 was denied because the medications he used were not prescribed during that year or did not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to additional VA records being added to the case file.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for COPD with asthma, scarring, and pulmonary nodules is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from September 6, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's right hip bone graft and its impact on his current hip pain and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The Veteran's right eye disability is currently rated as noncompensable, but a remand is necessary to obtain relevant treatment records and determine if there are any incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left eye swelling (scar from cyst) is remanded due to the need for an examination.,Service connection for residuals of a right chest cyst surgery is also remanded as there was no clarification on whether it occurred on the left or right chest during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD due to exposure to friendly fire in Vietnam. The claim for burn scars of the hands related to agent orange exposure is also remanded.,The VA will attempt to verify the appellant's reported stressor for his PTSD claim, and a new examination will be scheduled to determine if any current mental health condition is related to service.,A VA examiner will review the claims file and provide an opinion on whether the appellant's burn scars are related to or incurred during his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine disability, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 26, 2018. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left shoulder scar, and sinusitis due to outstanding records and a need for further examination. The Veteran will have an opportunity to present additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the effective dates are not specified.,Issues related to rating increases and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a lack of recent private medical records, specifically from Dr. S.S., which may contain relevant information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for scars, residual of status post bilateral herniorrhaphies and for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral herniorrhaphies with related residual ilioinguinal neuralgia due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's gall bladder removal and scar residuals have been granted initial 10 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's left thigh scar is service-connected, but the residuals of a left leg stab wound are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, do not meet the threshold for a schedular TDIU prior to February 3, 2021. The Board finds no reasonable possibility of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability, left knee scars, and various finger disabilities were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found that the lack of evidence from these examinations resulted in a denial.