Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination, and determining the proper rating for his right knee conditions.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits. The Veteran's claims were received after final decisions, so the earliest possible effective dates are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and basilar scarring of the lungs due to potential exposure to diesel fumes in his living quarters during service, as well as multiple chest X-rays taken within a short period.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disorder and increased rating for right ankle strain are still pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no merits decision was made.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his scars has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in a written statement prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and were not related to service. The Board also found that he was not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

An initial 70 percent rating for residuals of a TBI is granted, effective February 15, 2019.,A 50 percent rating for headaches is granted as of March 7, 2015, and denied prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded her cases for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of her foot conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral breast calcification, claimed as fibrocystic breast disability, is granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, urinary hesitancy, ovarian cyst disability, TMJ disorder, and other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, so his claim for total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for a TDIU as withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney. The claim of an increased rating for right forearm scars was denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and painful scars status post-basal cell carcinoma surgery are currently rated at 30 percent for the former, with no rating assigned for the latter. The Board denied both claims as there is no evidence of instability or pain in excess of what is already reflected by the current ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD are rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic left Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that there was no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for kidney transplant with residual surgical scars and hyperparathyroidism due to outstanding VA, private, and SSA records. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for release of any relevant private treatment records and an updated VA examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for right cheek scar was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of painful, unstable, or disfiguring characteristics. Service connection claims for back disability and psychiatric disability were also denied as there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or etiology with service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease prior to January 19, 2017 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's painful scar associated with his coronary artery bypass graft is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain all requested records, including National Guard treatment records.