Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is being remanded to conduct an updated medical review.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not secondary to a service-connected disability, was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had chloracne at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral tinea pedis at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that a right cheek laceration scar began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The cerebrovascular accident is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration by the Director of VA's Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia, scars, and associated functional limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered individually, do not preclude him from engaging in gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbar spine disability, painful scars of the right knee, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to procedural issues, including a lack of proper form use.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease from September 6, 2011 to October 3, 2011 has been found to have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his left knee scar, right and left knee medial-lateral instability, and synovitis and osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left foot bullet wound including degenerative arthritis with residual scars was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's lay testimony established the occurrence of in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic upper respiratory, a left foot disorder, a left-hand disorder, painful scar, and right wrist disorder due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for depression and TDIU prior to October 11, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for surgical scars and painful left mastoid process to left sternoclavicular joint scar as secondary to service-connected cervical spine fusion, and his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary because the VA examination did not include color photographs of the Veteran's scars.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent disability rating for a right hand scar (dog bite) is granted. The compensable disability rating prior to December 14, 2019, and greater than 10 percent thereafter for a right fourth finger fracture is denied. The matter of service connection for residuals of a chest injury is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for painful scar, midline lumbar region and scar, midline lumbar region have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's scars and back disability are granted with a 10% rating, but no higher. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for fainting spells. Service connection was granted for scars, head, PTSD and anxiety, and residuals of TBI.