Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an abdominal scar and a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability have been dismissed because the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status because his service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the abdomen and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are both denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support higher ratings based on the severity and frequency of the Veteran’s symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment through the VA Compensated Work Therapy program and does not desire to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and opinions.

The Board has vacated multiple decisions related to various service connection claims, including those for coronary artery disease, a scar, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash, and peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.

The Board has decided that another remand is necessary before the matter of the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU can be adjudicated. The RO must obtain an opinion from a qualified clinician regarding the functional impact of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities, in combination, on his employability.

The Board denied separate compensable ratings for various disabilities associated with service-connected cognitive residuals of TBI, including a hand and arm disability, neurogenic bowel disorder, syncope, seizure disorder, and back disability (other than lumbar disc degeneration).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or permanently confined to his immediate premises, thus denying the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or an account of being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation prior to November 7, 2019, for service-connected surgical scars, right and left knees, is denied.,A compensable rating of 20 percent, beginning November 7, 2019, for service-connected surgical scar, right and left knees, is granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings exceeding 60 percent for his service-connected status post total left knee replacement and status post total right knee replacement are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The scar of the left femur was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating, and his depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to September 25, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter after that date were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for burn scars related to mustard gas exposure has been denied.,Service connection for the burn scars was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on and after May 26, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his limited mobility, standing endurance, risk of falling, and difficulty with dressing and bathing.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a scar from a gunshot wound and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a muscle group XIV injury are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on their nature and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of the right 4th finger scar and migraines (headaches) are remanded due to missing VA treatment records. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 0 percent for residuals of right 4th finger disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic head injury, scar on head and nose, and vision problems due to incomplete examinations and lack of treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is already service-connected, so no new rating is granted.