Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected scarring and painful scars on the face have been granted initial evaluations of 80 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence corroborating the existence and etiology of the claimed forehead scar, which is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, and a new examination is required to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his conditions.

The Board denied readjudication of the claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition because no new and relevant evidence was submitted to reopen the claim, despite the submission of additional post-service clinical records and lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based in individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 17, 2020 was denied as there is no evidence of earlier entitlement or a valid claim submitted before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not resolved in his favor, necessitating further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to the abdomen with scars, specifically addressing whether his weakened core muscles have caused or aggravated his gastrointestinal and back problems.

The Board denied SMC based on housebound status for the period from December 11, 2015 due to lack of substantial confinement to the home and inability to meet the criteria for permanent housebound status.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for fibrocystic breast disease with scarring of the right-side status post lumpectomy needs further development and is therefore being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, disability ratings, and psychiatric issues. The appeals will be remanded to allow for further review of the evidence.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by a decubitus ulcer and residual scar, is granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the period from September 27, 2009 to March 13, 2015. SMC based on loss of use of the left foot is also granted during this same period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable from November 15, 2018 to January 10, 2020. From January 10, 2020 onwards, he is in receipt of a 100% rating for PTSD with opioid use disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment at any time during the period on appeal, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial rating for her painful episiotomy scar is currently at 10 percent, and a separate noncompensable rating is assigned for the episiotomy scar. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of a right anterior neck scar and left upper extremity radiculopathy for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence at the time of initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism is granted with a 30% disability rating, effective June 8, 2020. The Veteran's painful scar is denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's left lower extremity scar is granted a 10% rating effective August 10, 2016. Service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis is also granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for scar, residuals of lung cancer and remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and scars of the anterior trunk, status post prostatectomy and lipoma excision of the left chest were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending claims and appeals, including those related to various conditions and service connection issues. As a result, the Board dismissed these cases.