Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected foot and knee disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 11, 2016.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating, but no higher, throughout the claim period.,Service connection for a skin condition other than chest keloid scars (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ectropion of the lower right eyelid was denied, and their request for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for a lower right eyelid scar was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, head scars, and left shoulder scar as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to support his claims of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 14, 2010, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's topical medications stained and damaged his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for calendar year 2015.,His left knee brace caused wear and tear on his clothing, qualifying him for a clothing allowance for calendar year 2015.,Elbow crutches used by the Veteran due to his left knee disability also caused damage to his clothing, entitling him to a clothing allowance for calendar year 2015.,The right knee brace and back brace were not service-connected disabilities at the time of the decision, thus denying entitlement to a clothing allowance for these items in 2015.,Left ankle brace did not cause damage to his clothing as determined by VA, therefore denial of a clothing allowance for this item in 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myofibroblastic sarcoma may have been caused by his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can perform the tasks required in sedentary employment considering his education and occupational experience.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 25, 2017 for service connection of neoplasm of the kidney. The case is remanded for further rating actions on increased ratings and scars.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates related to service connection and rating increases have been remanded.,No specific effective date has been determined as the appeal is currently in a remand status.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, despite his reported difficulties with employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings and service connection issues related to his ankle, foot, wrist, and left foot conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his ratings for right knee disability and non-cancerous fatty tumors with residual scars and dermatophytosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty to assist errors, specifically regarding missing medical records from a private provider. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are noted as affecting his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left infrascapular and posterior axillary region scars, increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathies, and ischemic heart disease, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) from September 3, 2015 due to evidence suggesting the service-connected disabilities may have rendered the Veteran unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The extension of a temporary total rating for lumbar spine surgery convalescence past August 1, 2012, is denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of medical opinions. Service connection for unspecified arthritis (distinct from service-connected lumbar spine disability) is also remanded. The Veteran's residuals of a nasal fracture, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, lumbar strain, and lumbar spine scar are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple orthopedic conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the requirements for a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disability and post-operative right knee scar due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.