Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye disability, including corneal scarring and dry eye syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his service-connected left knee disability. The VA examiner needs to provide separate opinions on causation and aggravation, considering recent treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher disability ratings for her service-connected left wrist fracture and initial compensable rating for her service-connected left wrist scar due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action regarding his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, including on the basis of disabilities affecting a single body system (orthopedic), during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 1, 2021 onward due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the TDIU claim for the period March 19, 2012 to November 24, 2019 is denied as he had substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a determination on whether his bilateral hand and elbow disorders are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address service connection claims for right eyebrow scar, TBI/TBI residuals, vertigo, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board will not assign a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the appendectomy scar.

The Veteran's initial 10% disability rating for service-connected scars on anterior trunk and left pinky finger was granted. The abdominal wound with osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis remains denied, as does service connection for several other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment as a chaplain/civil servant with the U.S. Army, and he has not provided sufficient information regarding his current employment status.

The Veteran's eye condition, including a newly diagnosed floater, is being reviewed due to changes in his disability since the last examination. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess these issues.

The Veteran's gunshot wound, left foot with Muscle Group X sensory residuals is currently rated at 30 percent and the issues regarding scar associated with the gunshot wound are also denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. His right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not higher than 30 percent, while his left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has vacated the May 12, 2021 decision and remanded for consideration of additional evidence related to right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and related conditions are remanded due to missing service treatment records.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracic/lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are also remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, skin disability, tinnitus, and others, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 2, 2003 to July 25, 2007. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenitis with gastric reflux and post-operative scar associated with the gastrointestinal disorder prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and rating increases related to various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disorder, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, right knee injury with posttraumatic arthritis, and scar from pyelolithotomy. The appeal is dismissed as the claims are withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on low back strain, lumbar radiculopathy (lower right extremity), and scar have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, which the Board has granted TDIU. The issues of SMC based on housebound criteria or aid and attendance are also remanded.