Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability. The case is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address the relationship between any identified heart disability and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and right knee residuals are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the other issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected chloracne and associated scars due to an incomplete examination in January 2018. The Veteran was previously granted separate ratings for her chloracne, neck scar, and trunk scars but had them combined into one rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral eye disability and respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing service connection, exposure basis, and nexus.

Service connection is granted for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type. The case is remanded to assess the Veteran's head injuries and associated scars and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and painful surgical scars, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of effective dates prior to June 7, 2004 for service connection and entitlement to TDIU due to the appellant's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lymphedema caused by cellulitis, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of March 9, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment on and prior to January 11, 2023. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also established.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all three issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's left side face/neck scar and tenderness are due to an epidermoid cyst removal during active service. Service connection for the condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected back disability and scar.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches/migraine. The Veteran's current migraine headaches are related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, the issue of service connection for hydrocephalus intravascular mass status post ventriculostomy (claimed as brain tumor) and scars (head, face, or neck) secondary to this condition remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including TBI, shoulder disability, arm disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of prior formal or informal claims filed before April 24, 2018.

Service connection for a fractured tooth root is granted, allowing outpatient dental treatment.,Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is service-connected and rated at 50%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of IBS and scars of the left lower extremity, residuals of sebaceous cyst removal, are being remanded due to insufficient development. The Board also finds that his claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed as he now has a combined rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are considered, but his lay statements regarding needing aid and attendance are also taken into account.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ear tympanic membrane scar, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.