Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence due to surgery on August 27, 2014, and increased PTSD rating are both denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a lung disability, including atelectasis and nodules. The decision also remanded the claims for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with panic disorder and alcohol use disorder, bilateral hallux valgus (bunions), painful surgical scars on the feet, pes planus, hammer toes of the feet, and thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder and alcohol use disorder has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection for uterine fibroids. The Veteran needs another examination and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is required to protect her from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating need further development due to incomplete information or evidence. The issues have been remanded for additional examinations, record requests, and opinions.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective July 17, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability prior to this date.

The appeals for service connection on various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left posterior lateral mid-trunk circular scar has been painful, but stable. The Board granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the scar prior to November 17, 2021 and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The claim for service connection for scarring on lungs is remanded due to lack of evidence and need for verification.

The Veteran's residuals of a partial gastrectomy for ulcer disease were rated at 60% effective March 12, 2010. The scar associated with the condition was also rated at 10%. The incisional ventral hernia remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and verifying his employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for superficial non-linear surgical scars and a 10 percent rating for painful scars are denied. The Veteran's ventral hernia is not rated as compensable.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left forearm condition and left ulnar neuropathy are granted, while the initial compensable rating for left elbow scar and bilateral hearing loss is denied. The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of lip/facial cancer, right hip condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, and effective date earlier than October 11, 2018 for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee scars are painful and meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, but no higher.

A 10 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's face and scalp scars, effective from August 1, 2015. The claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroenteritis is reopened.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar on the dorsal aspect of his right hand was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the schedular rating criteria and referral to the Director of the VA Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration was not applicable.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for his service-connected disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe was granted with an initial 30 percent rating from October 8, 2021. The right shoulder and left forearm scars were denied as not compensable.,Prior to October 8, 2021, the Veteran's disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe warranted a 30 percent rating based on two characteristics of disfigurement. From October 8, 2021, his scar warrants a 50 percent rating as it no longer meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria of having at least one disability rated at 100 percent disabling and another disability or disabilities rated at a combined 60 percent.