Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and scarring are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his PFB and bilateral hearing loss have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's scars from vein stripping are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, all of a common etiology, have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since April 3, 2021. The Board is granting TDIU effective April 3, 2021, but remanding the issues for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between his in-service injury and his current condition. The Board also noted that the Veteran's eye conditions were not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) for a higher level of aid and attendance effective June 24, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear cholesteatoma, a surgical scar on the right ear, and Meniere's syndrome in the right ear. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have increased in severity since the last VA examinations. The Board has decided to remand these issues for further evaluation.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 10, 2019. However, the claim for TDIU prior to that date is remanded due to lack of schedular requirements.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, right distal third finger fracture, and right third finger scar as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his representative.

The Board has found that remand is required due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and the Veteran's left knee disability and associated scar need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left thumb scar was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing its decision. The right shoulder and left shoulder disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood to include traumatic brain injury was granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's primary headaches were denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of a compensable rating for residual scarring and HPV infection has been withdrawn.,The claim for an evaluation greater than 10 percent prior to January 29, 2021, for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim is being returned for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including hammer toe, painful scars, plantar fasciitis, and foot cramping, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by her military service.

The Veteran's effective date for the award of service connection for a scar on his abdomen, associated with prostate cancer, is July 28, 2009.,The Veteran's effective date for the award of service connection for candidiasis, associated with prostate cancer, is also July 28, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for reductions in disability ratings and severance of service connection were withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy in the lower extremities.