Scars Board decisions

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) is granted, as he has no effective function remaining in his bilateral lower extremities other than what would be equally well served by an amputation with use of a prosthetic appliance.

The Veteran's melanoma scar and lumbosacral sprain/strain disability are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the residual surgical scar from prostatectomy has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for his service-connected psychiatric disability, have rendered him unemployable since May 7, 2012 and on and after July 22, 2020.,The Board has granted a TDIU from May 7, 2012 to February 25, 2013 and on and after July 22, 2020 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a lack of medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information about his mental health conditions, appendectomy, and any potential aggravation.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 10, 2003 for the award of a TDIU on a schedular basis. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 20, 2009 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and various scars, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 16, 2014.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome status post surgery, is currently rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's residual scars due to arthroscopy of the right and left shoulders are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting findings in the record regarding whether the Veteran has additional disabilities related to VA's care. A medical opinion is needed to clarify these issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, as the Appellant and her authorized representative have withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's right-sided nephroureterectomy due to T1 high grade TCC of the kidney and T2 TCC of the distal ureter is granted as related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted as of May 8, 2018.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm/Hg or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 mm/Hg or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm/Hg or more requiring continuous medication for control.,The Veteran's knee disabilities and radiculopathy claims are remanded as the effective date prior to November 28, 2014, is not established in the record.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism claim is remanded as there is no evidence of a compensable rating for PSVT.,The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracic/lumbar spine claims are remanded as there is no evidence of entitlement to an increased rating.

The Veteran's use of hydrocortisone and hydrophilic creams for his hernia scar caused irreparable damage to his clothing, leading to the grant of clothing allowances for 2016. The use of clotrimazole cream was denied as there were already two clothing allowances in place.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU from January 20, 2009 to March 23, 2010. The Board found that his education and skills did not support a finding of inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed all the issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for shortening of bone length, right lower extremity; status post repair right patellar tendon with traumatic arthritis; and a right knee scar. The appeals were also dismissed regarding service connection for degenerative joint disease, right hip, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected corneal scar, as well as any other diagnosed conditions. The decision is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period from September 21, 2012 to December 4, 2012. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the combined impact of multiple service-connected conditions.