Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection or an increase in rating for most of his conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal, beginning January 15, 2002. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate was granted from June 23, 2015 through June 18, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and initial ratings for his right elbow disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of her service-connected conditions. The issues include TDIU, a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, earlier effective dates for service connection, and various other disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to their severity. The Board finds that SMC based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective March 27, 2018. Effective November 4, 2020, the Veteran's SMC claim is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals, scar, status post varicocele due to lack of a timely notice of disagreement and failure to submit additional evidence within one year of the September 2005 rating decision.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left forearm scars, finding that the evidence did not show five or more unstable or painful scars. The current 20 percent rating is upheld.

The Veteran's left thigh scar is not rated as compensable, and he is denied SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The low back condition issue remains pending due to the need for additional evidence.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of left leg below the knee amputation requires obtaining informed consent documents from VistA Imaging.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports regarding the number and size of scars, as well as their pain. A new VA examination is required to clarify these details.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, leaving only the temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence issue. The Board dismissed all issues due to withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for migraines, bilateral leg disorder, right hand disorder (including nerve damage and neuropathy), right wrist scars, and head scars are remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant service treatment records. The Veteran is also advised to provide any outstanding in-service or post-service medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a residual scar, status post coronary artery bypass graft due to lack of evidence of any formal or informal claim prior to February 10, 2017.

The Veteran's residuals of a circumcision, to include scarring, are etiologically related to his service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease and bilateral heel spurs have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, scar, left palm, and dermatophytosis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right eye anterior stromal scar were denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations, which resulted in insufficient evidence to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status was denied as he did not meet the requirements of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, which would qualify him for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's painful scars resulting from pseudofolliculitis barbae are rated at 30 percent effective May 4, 2021. The rating for residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae scars remains at 30 percent.