Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, right knee scar status post arthroscopy, and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to procedural issues. The Board will issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) in response to these claims.

The Veteran's previously assigned 10 percent rating for his service-connected status post head injury with residual left temporal scar was restored due to his willingness to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the presence of nonservice-connected conditions that contribute to his need, and a VA examination is required to assess solely his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the issues related to his service-connected conditions, including bruxism (claimed as teeth grinding), migraine headaches, PTSD, lumbar strain, reactive airway disease, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral knees, tinnitus, restless leg syndrome, left elbow chronic epicondylitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, allergic rhinitis, status-post right 4th metacarpal fracture, bilateral shin splints, erectile dysfunction, scars on the bilateral knees and left elbow, right great toe onychomycosis, and acne.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not require the regular aid and attendance of another person at any point during the period on appeal, thus his claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has determined that the service connection claims for hidradenitis suppurativa and scars (extremities and trunk) as secondary to hidradenitis suppurativa need further examination and consideration due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 28, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ring finger scar was granted service connection as it resulted from an injury during his active service. The Veteran's right hand disability and head trauma residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 12, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including chest wall discomfort and osteoarthritis of the left hand. The case is being remanded for an addendum medical opinion addressing the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning.

The Veteran's left anterior chest scar is currently rated at 0 percent, but the Board has granted a 10 percent rating due to pain.

The Veteran's claim for a scar of the posterolateral scalp was granted with an effective date of July 28, 2011.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The Veteran reported experiencing these conditions during service and continuing to experience them since then.,Service connection for hepatitis C/liver disorder was denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and scar were evaluated at a 20% rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5201 for limited motion of the arm. The appeal was denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip arthritis with hip joint replacement and left hip trochanteric, bursitis, degenerative arthritis, and prosthetic left hip joint, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU for the period from October 1, 2013 to October 16, 2017. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his A&A claim.

The Veteran's healed pleurodesis scars are restored to a 30 percent rating. His anxiety disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating from October 9, 2018. The Veteran also receives a separate 10 percent rating for pleuritic chest pain associated with his recurrent pneumothorax.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and basal cell carcinoma are remanded due to incomplete medical records. The left knee condition claim is also remanded for a new examination.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his left knee condition is remanded for further clarification on flare-ups and range of motion during such periods.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, spindle cell tumor, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded for a new opinion from a VA examiner or oncologist to determine if there is a relationship between his condition and military service, including exposure to PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of spindle cell tumor of left nasal cavity is remanded due to incomplete medical records. The need for additional opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions remains.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 20, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for various disability ratings and effective dates has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.