Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a scar over the right eye and a traumatic brain injury, finding that these conditions are related to in-service head injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence supporting the requested increases or connections.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings related to PTSD, painful scar of the left middle finger, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The effective date is set at November 21, 2015.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding the reduction of scarring on their cheeks and chin, which is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board dismissed this case as a result.

The Veteran's right tonsillar cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Neck pain, neck scars, and a skin condition are all granted as secondary to the Veteran's right tonsillar cancer.

The Veteran's initial rating for valvular heart disease was denied, but a higher rating of 60 percent is granted since October 29, 2012. The claim for post-surgical scars associated with heart surgery resulted in denial of a compensable rating.,A TDIU claim for the period prior to December 27, 2012, was denied due to lack of evidence showing inability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and any potential links to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling an examination for housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and ratings related to various conditions has been dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, and right foot disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and review of the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, left leg pain, and facial scars are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks alone has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and he is granted TDIU. Effective February 28, 2022, the Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired mental disorder and for increased ratings for his left, right knee, and right foot disabilities. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to new evidence received by VA. The Veteran's claims of service connection and increased rating will be reconsidered.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right hand, left ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a right hand scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The examinations were not rescheduled as requested by the Veteran and his representative.

The Board denied an annual clothing allowance for topical medication in 2018 because the Veteran did not use prescribed medication for a skin condition due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active duty and continuity since then.,Service connection for low back condition, lung scarring, residuals of pneumonia, and mild lingular scarring is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for joint and muscle pain, headaches, memory loss, and fatigue is also remanded as there are no clear findings or opinions regarding Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Trinka Davis Veteran's Village Clinic.