Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's scars to his arms are not shown to be painful, unstable, or productive of limitation of function. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for the scars on his arms is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow condition, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The decision also noted that his claim for a compensable rating for his right elbow scar was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inability to arrange a VA eye examination. The Veteran's left eye disability claim is now the only issue remaining in this appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee condition was denied. The rating for cervical fracture of C4-5 status post fusion remains at 30 percent, and the ratings for right upper extremity and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy were adjusted based on new findings from November 2018 VA examination. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer condition was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the request for her Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's loss of spleen, scar, and acquired psychiatric condition were caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a right knee disorder, headaches, GERD, IBS, and disabilities of each hand. The cases are now remanded for further examination and rating actions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hip trochanteric bursitis and gout are granted.,The Veteran's right hand disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's left leg scar is remanded.

The Veteran's death was due to an accidental drug overdose, and he was service connected for scars of the forearm and scalp, a left shoulder disability, and a left knee disability. The appellant filed for DIC benefits in September 2009, which were denied in March 2010. In May 2018, the rating decision granted DIC benefits based on newly obtained service treatment records showing the Veteran's separation examination from two months prior to his death indicated depression and suicidal ideation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder and thoracotomy residuals and scar due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to November 26, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's PTSD/MDD alone qualifies for a grant of TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU. Additionally, his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, leading to a grant of SMC.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations related to his abdominal scars, muscle weakness, and nutritional deficiencies. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scars status post appendectomy and bowel obstruction surgery, compensable rating for these scars beginning August 22, 2022, and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for psoriasis, dry eye syndrome, and scars of the abdomen and lumbar spine due to a lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of his heart disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide VA Form 21-4142s for any private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for PFB neck scarring and remanded the issue of a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected PFB.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in providing the medical treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for eye disorder(s) due to service or service-connected migraine headaches, finding no causal relationship between the current disability and the in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar strain rating was granted at 40 percent prior to February 26, 2018, but not higher. The shin splints of the left leg rating was denied. Other conditions like bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, scars, and cellulitis also had their claims denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion provided regarding the Veteran's service-connected TBI. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on the nature and severity of the TBI prior to the Veteran's passing, including whether each identified symptom is at least as likely as not a residual of the TBI.