Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 27, 2012. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left hip musculoskeletal disability and left hip scar have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all of the remaining issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, as well as service connection claims for various disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected surgical scar on the right anterior neck is not rated higher than zero percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the characteristics of disfigurement or functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right wrist disability, a right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The left wrist disability and consequent scar claim is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use other than an upper extremity, and he is not service-connected for a severe burn injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her service-connected residual scar status post appendectomy and exploratory laparotomy was denied. The Board also found that the issue of a higher rating for her residual scar right foot bunionectomy needed to be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service connected varicocele removal, left scrotum with residual scar and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The issues are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus were denied, while the claim for a respiratory disability was also denied. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for his stomach disability from October 28, 2014 to February 7, 2017, but this rating is subject to regulations governing monetary benefits.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for the stomach disability and BHL were denied. The stomach disability claim was remanded.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since June 10, 2015.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's right knee scar, finding that there were no other disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for service-connected parotidectomy residuals and scar residuals due to insufficient examination reports and need for additional development.

The Veteran's keloid scars are residuals of his shaving condition, which is etiologically related to his time in service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the facial scar disability from December 19, 2012 to October 23, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ataxia was remanded, and the RO granted service connection for orthostatic hypotension. The Board finds that this satisfied the Veteran’s claim for service connection for ataxia. The issue of SMC based on aid and attendance is now remanded due to new evidence indicating the need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The claims for hypertension, right arm scar, and right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals, shrapnel wound left leg with damage to muscle group XII was denied. The Veteran also received an initial 10 percent disability rating for residual scars associated with the same condition as of October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have effectively resulted in the permanent loss of use of her bilateral lower extremities, requiring her to use a cane for ambulation. The Board has granted specially adapted housing benefits based on this finding.