Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use, contractures, or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's kidney failure and lower extremity paralysis, as well as his aortic aneurysm, paraparesis of the bilateral lower extremities, and renal failure have all been granted service connection due to exposure to herbicides during service.,Service connection for depressive disorder, NOS, has also been granted.

The Veteran's intestinal symptoms are rated at 10 percent, but no higher, for residuals of resection of sigmoid status post recurrent diverticulitis.,The Veteran’s anterior trunk scar is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to moderate symptoms.,The Veteran's left knee scar is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, sleep apnea with COPD, and erectile dysfunction, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's rating for lentigo simplex and actinic keratosis, right cheek was improperly reduced from 30% to 10%. The Veteran’s verucca vulgaris on the right wrist is not compensable. Service connection for depressive disorder and headaches are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted, given his service-connected disabilities other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected right knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis, instability, and residual scars. The Veteran's right knee disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disorder, which may be related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has granted a compensable initial rating of 10% for the scar of the left breast, status post lumpectomy. However, the issue of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right foot hallux valgus, as well as TDIU based on bilateral foot condition. The Veteran is entitled to separate disability ratings of 10 percent each, but no higher, for her bunionectomy scars.

Service connection for an appendectomy scar is granted.,Service connection for a left elbow disability is denied. The Veteran's current treatment records are silent for a diagnosis of or treatment for a left elbow disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating of his service-connected spinal fusion surgery with surgical scar and failed back syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent, but granted a 20 percent rating since November 20, 2019.

The Veteran's scars on head are restored to a 10 percent rating, effective October 17, 2019. The 10 percent rating has been in effect since May 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been reopened, and the claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been granted. The ratings for voiding dysfunction and painful scar status post lumbar fusion have been restored, as well as the ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has found that additional private treatment records are needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for left ulnar nerve paralysis and residual scars. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, abdomen scar, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these awards are December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to diabetes and stroke, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and right shoulder conditions, are found to be sufficient to render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as he did not have a permanent total service-connected disability at the time of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of bilateral breast reduction surgery and associated scars are not rated higher than noncompensable.,The Veteran's scar of the cleft of the inferior aspect of the left breast, right breast, periareolar of the left breast, and periareolar of the right breast do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.