Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, but the issue of SMC based on aid and attendance is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee scar tissue and an initial rating of 70% for PTSD, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70%, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's left eye optic nerve drusen with visual field defects and right eye corneal scar are not service-connected, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury. The Veteran was denied both his claim for service connection and his request for an initial compensable evaluation for his right eye condition.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 16, 2020. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing request.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with depressive disorder NOS and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to work.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for TDIU, higher disability evaluations for left total knee arthroplasty, and SMC. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess her functional impairment due to her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate examination. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of inguinal hernia surgery is being reviewed with additional development.

The Veteran's forehead scar and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 50% rating for PTSD effective May 1, 2014. The Veteran has also been awarded TDIU since that date.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for pilonidal cyst postoperative scar. The hypertension claim and TDIU claim are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 28, 2003. The TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood in stool, a right eye disability, and a left eye corneal scar. The case is remanded to schedule VA examinations and obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 17, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for scar from hernia repair is denied.

The Veteran's keratectomy scar is not rated compensably, and his ulcer disease is rated at 20 percent before June 30, 2016. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for ulcer disease throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for multiple skin cancers and scars due to skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his scar, right thigh and left knee status post cellulitis has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his representative in September 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, scars from prostate cancer surgery, and prostate cancer residuals. The initial ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and orthopedic conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The claim is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for a respiratory condition (asthma, lung scarring, COPD) and an initial compensable disability rating for folliculitis.