Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and effective date issues are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants were denied as she does not meet the criteria for eligibility based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder, tinnitus, coronary artery disease with coronary artery bypass graft residuals, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a midline chest scar, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential TDIU issues. The claims include service connection, rating determinations, and a request for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral hip disorder, a right thigh scar, pes planus, and vision disability due to lack of current disabilities at the time of filing or during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his painful scar and associated scar is denied. The current ratings are appropriate given the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his heart disability and scars are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, specifically private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee scars, left and right total knee replacements, as well as SMC based on housebound status from January 1, 2016. The claims are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The initial compensable rating claim for right knee scars has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for status post bilateral breast reduction with residual scarring is granted as the surgery was performed in line of duty and she experiences physiological pain.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dermatitis on the right and left legs, and scar formation of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was granted service connection.,Service connection was also granted for prostate cancer, diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was properly calculated using the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in a 90 percent rating as of May 14, 2002. The earlier effective date for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2015.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left breast scar, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a right hamstring tear and service connection for a scar on the right knee. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to new evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new examination to obtain the required DLC test results.,Service connection for COPD, allergic rhinitis, and GERD are all being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the VA examiner found that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right lower extremity are currently rated at zero percent. The VA examiner determined they do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of underlying soft tissue damage and no functional impact.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical myelopathy, status post discectomy and fusion, is denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's surgical scars of the neck are also denied as they do not warrant a compensable rating.