Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disorders and low back disorder, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board found that the combined effects of these conditions made it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right-hand scar, which is painful, has been granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, groom himself, prepare meals, and transport himself without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance since October 10, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis and other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for left shoulder scars was granted with an effective date of April 16, 2024. The Board found that the earlier effective date is not warranted as the Veteran did not have a scar disability until his TDIU claim in April 2024.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) s/p CABG, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure with heart block. Service connection was previously severed due to a lack of evidence confirming herbicide exposure during the Veteran's period in Korea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it was caused by weight gain or obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities (ruptured left achilles tendon and binge eating disorder).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including insufficient notice and rescheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma leg and nose scars status post removal (BCC), sinus bradycardia with tricuspid regurgitation and first degree AV block (regurgitation), erectile dysfunction (ED), and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful employment, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability and multiple limb nerve impairments, were denied. The Board found the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected jaw fracture and scars due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for acne and scars associated with acne has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining medical opinions regarding his respiratory condition and left ring finger disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of right knee arthritis, left knee status post-arthroscopic surgery, and left knee scars have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal on December 19, 2022. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to a grant in February 2024.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of scars, right upper arm. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and rhinitis were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for residuals, status post right elbow olecranon bursitis was also denied.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including a right foot disability. The Board grants SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was characterized by characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of the entire body affected, with no exposed areas, and required no more than topical therapy over the previous 12-month period. The Board found that an increased rating is not warranted.,Service connection for a linear penis scar, status post circumcision, was denied as there was no indication of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability and associated scars was denied. However, he was granted a 40 percent rating effective June 11, 2018, and TDIU status as of December 1, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to his bilateral leg conditions.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating as of October 6, 2011, based on his service-connected disabilities.