Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does it meet any other criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of permanent loss of use of a hand or foot due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was due to suicide caused by his service-connected back pain, which the Board cannot determine is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal to extend the effective dates of his service-connected conditions was dismissed as untimely and without good cause presented.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,A 30 percent disability rating for left inguinal hernia has been granted, effective November 9, 2020. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for his painful scar.,The Veteran's left inguinal scar is rated at the minimum compensable level of 10 percent.,Service connection was denied for both left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis.,No service connection was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires remand due to duty-to-assist errors in previous VA examinations and evaluations. The issues of increased ratings for left knee disability, a compensable rating for left knee scar, service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issues of upper back problems, lower neck problems, an acquired psychiatric condition, erectile dysfunction, forehead linear scar, and right wrist circular scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied. The cause of death claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup her separation pay was proper, and no hardship waiver could be granted.

The Veteran's facial scar was restored to a 10 percent disability rating effective September 01, 2021. A rating in excess of 10 percent for the facial scar is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation for neck scar is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection for insomnia and headaches is denied because there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, SMC based on housebound status, and TDIU are all denied. The effective date of the 100% disability rating for PTSD is set at November 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as total (100%) with an additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran's TDIU was based on multiple service-connected disabilities, not a single disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination and etiology opinion concerning his lumbar spine disorder. The scar claim is also remanded as inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral knee conditions. The decision is subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability alone rendered him unable to sustain substantially gainful employment from August 10, 2018 and he also had additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound effective August 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The hysterectomy, scarring, and mental health disorder conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's motion to revise the August 2018 rating decision regarding effective dates and disability ratings was dismissed because the decision had not yet become final at the time of the CUE motion.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation.,The Veteran's scars from coronary artery bypass graft surgery are being remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has denied service connection for insomnia, migraine headaches, a right eyelid scar, OSA, a right shoulder disability, a left shoulder disability, a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy or neuropathy, and left foot plantar fasciitis as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences or aggravations.