Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residual corneal scar of the right eye was denied, while his claim for a separate initial 10 percent disability rating for right eye corneal scar was granted.

The Veteran was not found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities other than the loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, which is why he did not meet the criteria for SMC(o).

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including a rating for residuals of a right knee replacement with patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee instability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability with residual scarring, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury. The congenital spinal stenosis was not noted at service entrance and did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service entrance.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is granted service connection. The digestive disorder and back condition claims are reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine if they meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of right hip disorder and TDIU due to potential in-service causation. The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hip disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's painful right knee scar is now rated at 10 percent, and his hypertension is granted service connection.,Obstructive sleep apnea remains in dispute as the appeal has been remanded.

The Veteran's need for a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating hospitalization or other institutional care, is granted from April 8, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left eye cataracts, but remanded to determine if any other pre-existing left eye disabilities are related to service or aggravated by diabetes.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including congenital right and left eye conditions, were denied service connection as they are considered congenital defects not subject to superimposed disease or injury. The non-congenital right eye disability (exophthalmos) and the non-congenital left eye disability (nuclear sclerotic cataract with reduced visual acuity/blurred vision) were also denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and back conditions, have resulted in a loss of use of his lower extremities, affecting balance and propulsion. The Board has determined that he is eligible for specially adapted housing due to the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a cognitive disorder, increased rating for left anterior clavicle scars, and increased rating for left posterior clavicle scar due to unresolved medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA scars examination to determine if there are any further criteria met under the Diagnostic Codes for scars that would warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed full-time in the IT field.

The Veteran's terminal lung cancer and other service-connected conditions are granted, with a total disability rating for lung cancer. Service connection is granted for thyroidectomy scar, hypertension, and right lung transplant with scar. However, service connection is denied for balance issues, left eyelid cancer, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glaucoma, and bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (left total knee replacement with traumatic arthritis and scar; left hip replacement with scar) are found to be insufficient for the need of aid and attendance/housebound status. The case is remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including additional examinations to address service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 21, 2021 is being remanded due to the possibility that he was unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities during that time.