Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and scars do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he can perform sedentary work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 13, 2018 for a compensable disability rating for primary open angle glaucoma with pseudophakia and macular scar. The Veteran was previously granted service connection in August 2009 but received a noncompensable disability rating due to lack of evidence warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from November 15, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU for the period from July 13, 2019, to April 1, 2021, is rendered moot due to SMC benefits based on aid and attendance being in effect during this timeframe.

The Veteran's surgical scars of the neck are granted a 10 percent rating, effective from August 21, 2019. For the period beginning March 5, 2020, she is granted a separate noncompensable rating for her surgical scars of the neck. The appeal regarding the reduction in evaluation for left upper extremity radiculopathy was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle instability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with left neural foramina stenosis, right knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, left knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, appendectomy scar residuals (right arm and face), spider bites residuals (right arm and face), a right knee scar, a left knee scar, and tension headaches, have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 26, 2021 is remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psoriasis, cervical spine disability, low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, left shoulder disability, residuals of a left fibula scar, and other conditions, have rendered him unemployable since August 23, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU benefits from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating prior to June 27, 2022. A higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD since that date is denied. The Veteran's recurrent lipomas and lipoma scar were both found not to warrant compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The mental health claim is related to a possible PTSD diagnosis, while the gastrointestinal disorder claim requires further examination of potential connections to service. The left wrist scars claim also needs an examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for corneal scar, left eye and abdominal aortic aneurysm due to the Appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran is not eligible for a TDIU on a schedular basis prior to May 18, 2021. However, the Board finds that he may be entitled to an extraschedular TDIU due to service-connected disabilities and refers the matter to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to new evidence and outstanding VA treatment records. The RO must consider the new evidence in determining whether TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for residuals of scar on the right lower leg from January 11, 2022, and no earlier, is granted. Service connection for PTSD and depression is also granted, but service connection for other conditions like a bilateral foot disorder, neck or cervical spine disorder, sleep apnea, and gastritis are denied.

The Veteran's right wrist scar and condition are granted service connection, but the increased rating for his right wrist condition is remanded due to new evidence being required. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the right wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin cancer and scarring of the head and nose, as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete factual premises in a previous VA medical opinion. The Veteran's active duty service is considered, but his diagnoses predate his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin disabilities of the nose and neck has been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder conditions and foot disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 1, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve the anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, nor do they cause him to be permanently bedridden or render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his OSA.