Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for further development. The Veteran's right testicle disability is at the center of all these issues, which are now being reviewed again.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a service-connected left leg disability with scarring is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of an in-service traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to one or more service-connected disabilities and/or the medications prescribed for treatment of such, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment and income.

The Veteran's initial ratings for gastroparesis with gastric stimulator and abdominal scar, status post gastric stimulator placement have been granted. The rating for gastroparesis is set at 60 percent, while the rating for the abdominal scar is set at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating and DEA benefits is also remanded due to the need for updated VA Forms 21-4142 and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period of appeal.

The Board denied a TDIU from November 2, 2016, to July 17, 2017, due to the Veteran's ability to maintain gainful employment during this period. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar, status post coronary artery disease and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease have both been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the periods from January 9, 2013 to January 13, 2020, and from May 15, 2020. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his claim for Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or bedridden, thus denying entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform sedentary employment despite his knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including neck/cervical spine disability, back/thoracolumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right hand numbness, scars, recurrent right ankle sprain, right foot disability, left foot disability, right kidney disorder, and left kidney disorder. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's tracheostomy scars are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for trunk and left upper extremity scars, which is the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. The Board denied an increased rating as the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and/or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's chloracne and residual scarring are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his right ring finger scar was initially rated at ten percent from July 13, 2021. Both conditions are denied.,For the period prior to July 13, 2021, the Veteran's right ring finger scar was not painful or unstable, resulting in a noncompensable rating. From July 13, 2021 onwards, it is rated at ten percent due to pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right hand pain, sinus disability, right knee and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, left foot plantar fasciitis, thyroid disability, gallbladder removal with residuals, hysterectomy, and SMC based on loss of use. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions in light of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's effective date for adding his spouse and two children as dependents to his compensation award is denied because the required information was not provided within one year of notification.