Scars Board decisions

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's cervical spine DDD, which was part of an increased rating request. The attorney is entitled to 20% of past-due benefits awarded in September 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not result in such needs.

The Veteran's left breast scar was initially granted service connection in April 2013 with a noncompensable rating. The Board has now determined that she is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for her left breast scar beginning September 14, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral pinguecula and bilateral cataracts are granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims for additional opinions regarding other eye conditions, including congenital defects.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability from December 27, 2019 to September 21, 2020 has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for left knee limitation of extension is being remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating from June 29, 2021, forward for left knee limitation of flexion is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and hammer toes of the right foot postoperative repair, preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hidradenitis suppurative and related secondary service connection claims due to in-service vaccinations, lack of contemporaneous records, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded for further development regarding his right shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to potential Reserve service exposure.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specific dates are being remanded due to procedural issues and lack of formal or informal claims.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability caused irreparable damage to his outer garments due to the use of scar ointment. The Board granted clothing allowances for outer garments for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of PTSD, scarlet fever, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding a compensable rating for an appendectomy scar has been dismissed. The appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals from TURP and vasectomy surgery have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for bladder/urethra scar, painful (claimed as painful urination) is granted. The issues of increased ratings for psychiatric condition and urinary incontinence are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rib fractures, lung injury, facial scar, and PTSD are the result of his own willful misconduct during active duty service. As such, these conditions were not incurred in the line of duty and have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a residual corneal scar of the right eye and service connection for optic nerve drusen with visual field defects of the left eye. The Veteran is requested to provide any missing private treatment records from Mass Eye and Ear.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of photographs for assessing the current level of severity of the Veteran's left eye scar. The matter is being returned to obtain adequate medical evaluations and unretouched color photographs.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The initial evaluations for painful scars of the left upper extremity, right lower extremity, chest, left anterior neck and left posterior neck are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's claim for chronic pain syndrome is granted, and he is awarded an effective date of June 21, 2013 for his right knee arthroscopic surgical scars. The claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy and right elbow olecranon bursitis with spur are denied.