Scars Board decisions

The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is dismissed.,Service connection for eczema has been granted, effective February 18, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits prior to December 9, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a schedular TDIU effective July 18, 2016. The Board also referred the claim to the Director for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for atypical chest pain and entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The remaining issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left ankle disability, painful scar of the left lateral malleolus, linear scar of the left lower extremity, and lumbar spine disability as well as service connection for headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 4, 1986, for service connection of residuals from retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy surgery and a surgical scar is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or financial assistance for purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment. The Board finds that his disabilities, while significant, do not qualify him for these benefits based on the specific requirements outlined in VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and affords him the benefit of doubt, granting service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are remanded due to new evidence being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and headaches are rated at the maximum allowed, but his tinea pedis is not compensable. The Board found that he has right arm disability of nerve damage/muscle atrophy, vein damage, and injury (previously claimed as scars, status post brachial artery repair), a right shoulder disability, and right-hand arthritis due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the left ankle, knee, and hip do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The Board finds that they are not shown to be of such nature and severity as to render him unable to secure and maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 24, 2020.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for pseudofolliculitis barbae, right and left knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, hypertension, stomach disability (acid reflux), cervical spine disability, low back disability, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, surgical scar on lower back, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, and neurological disability of the right lower extremity. Additional development is required to obtain updated VA medical treatment records and properly executed releases for any private care providers who have treated the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection and initial disability ratings are not warranted prior to June 12, 2007 or July 6, 2007. The claims have been REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 18, 2015 and September 15, 2017 have been dismissed.,An effective date of September 15, 2017 has been assigned for the award of service connection for lung cancer.,A compensable disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD prior to September 22, 2017 has been granted.,Beginning September 22, 2017, a rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD has not been met.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a liver disorder is reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder) has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for stomach ulcers have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee condition and scar is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of various scar disabilities, TBI residuals, and migraine headaches has been granted. The Veteran also received SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and a TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of medical records, and need for additional assessments.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for the scarring on the left side of the Veteran's face, near his eye from 30 to 0 percent as of August 1, 2016, was appropriate based on improvement observed during a VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service-connected scar, lateral left thigh; left hip strain (based on thigh impairment); left hip strain (based on limitation of flexion); and bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants restoration of a separate 20 percent rating for post-operative internal derangement under Diagnostic Code 5257, but remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and TDIU.