Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficient to warrant special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability and scarring is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the onset of his conditions during service.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are not found to cause the need for aid and attendance, leading to a remand for further clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits or DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ankle surgical scars has been denied. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle and right great toe disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's left foot scar, sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis, acne, chronic yeast vaginitis, and migraine headaches are all denied increased ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran's left foot scar is not rated higher than 10 percent. Her sinusitis does not meet criteria for a 30 percent rating due to insufficient incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis does not result in at least 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, nor are there any nasal polyps present.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and retrospective opinions regarding his service-connected abdominal hernia and surgical scar disabilities. The Board finds that the prior VA examinations are incomplete and do not address the Veteran's credible lay statements about his continuing symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbar strain, cervical strain, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), and sleep apnea are all rated at the 10% level. The anterior palatoplasty and uvuloplasty scar claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right temporomandibular joint disorder, left sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his functional limitations.

An effective date of October 26, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Substantive Appeal was timely filed, allowing him to continue pursuing his claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for tinnitus, left knee surgical scar, bilateral hearing loss, and right knee tendonitis need to be remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination of the current and historical severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle scar, which may be painful, unstable, or cause functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings higher than 10 percent each for right and left knee strain require additional medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's dental condition for treatment purposes is being remanded due to lack of evidence.,Service connection for the skin disability remains denied as there are no compensable conditions found. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current symptoms warrant an increased rating.,The claim for left arm scars is inextricably intertwined with the skin disability claim and will also be remanded.,PTSD and depression claims remain pending due to insufficient evidence of service connection or exposure to Gulf War toxins.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms meet criteria for a diagnosis of depression.

The Veteran's scar, status post left breast biopsy, is granted a 10 percent rating beginning January 6, 2020. The Veteran's prior requests for higher ratings are denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and breast tumors are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his service-connected right ankle scar and its instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of facial feeling, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right eyebrow scar, and an initial compensable rating for a nasal fracture. The Board found that there was no current disability associated with these conditions.