Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his postoperative hernia repair scar and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence added since the January 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has restored service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture status post ORIF, scar from a right ankle fracture post ORIF, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as the RO did not provide proper notice regarding the Veteran's character of discharge.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities, including right knee DJD, left knee DJD, and left knee instability. The current disability ratings will not be determined until this is done.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and he meets the criteria for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,Service connection for recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea) and thyroid disability (hypothyroidism and obesity) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's facial scars are rated as 30 percent disabling since April 29, 2022. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for the scar disfigurement.

The Veteran's service connection claims for thyroid disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and knee scars are granted. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control, is granted a 100 percent rating from May 28, 2014. SMC benefits are also granted at the statutory housebound rate for this period. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's already receiving maximum benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and back pay due to a lack of recent examinations and an incomplete audit of his payment account. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations and an audit before these matters can be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and considering the appropriate rating criteria for a total left knee replacement.

The Veteran's application for annual clothing allowances for 2015 was denied because the medications he used were not prescribed during that year or did not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to additional VA records being added to the case file.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for COPD with asthma, scarring, and pulmonary nodules is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from September 6, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's right hip bone graft and its impact on his current hip pain and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The Veteran's right eye disability is currently rated as noncompensable, but a remand is necessary to obtain relevant treatment records and determine if there are any incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left eye swelling (scar from cyst) is remanded due to the need for an examination.,Service connection for residuals of a right chest cyst surgery is also remanded as there was no clarification on whether it occurred on the left or right chest during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD due to exposure to friendly fire in Vietnam. The claim for burn scars of the hands related to agent orange exposure is also remanded.,The VA will attempt to verify the appellant's reported stressor for his PTSD claim, and a new examination will be scheduled to determine if any current mental health condition is related to service.,A VA examiner will review the claims file and provide an opinion on whether the appellant's burn scars are related to or incurred during his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine disability, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 26, 2018. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left shoulder scar, and sinusitis due to outstanding records and a need for further examination. The Veteran will have an opportunity to present additional evidence.