Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left eye diplopia and TDIU on an extraschedular basis was denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability, as it accounted for interference with employment due to loss of pilot and state trooper positions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for left arm scars and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis, bilateral vision loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and knee scars. The Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions at the time of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,There is no evidence of current hepatitis or residuals of hepatitis documented in the medical record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address his right ear hearing loss, hernia residuals, surgical scar associated with hernia, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left arm is granted an increased rating to 30 percent, effective January 3, 2018. The ratings for his left forearm and elbow scars remain unchanged.

The Veteran's facial scars have not resulted in visible or palpable tissue loss, gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features (i.e., nose, chin, forehead, eyes, ears, cheeks, lips), and do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify whether an M.B.A. degree is warranted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and employment goals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve with intermittent retraction of the right testicle is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for painful scar of the right hand (dominant) 4th finger status post laceration is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches and insomnia, were granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The other claims were either not addressed or denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee DJD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left knee DJD, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DCs 5260-5262. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, and he has met the schedular requirements since October 2011. However, there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities have precluded him from gainful employment.

The Board has restored the 10 percent evaluation for a service-connected facial disability, effective March 20, 2002. However, the matter of restoring a rating in excess of 10 percent for muscle weakness is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to service connection for various conditions and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or acquiring housing. The main issue is the determination of whether the Veteran's disabilities meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation beyond May 2, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 12, 2012.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and examinations. The Veteran's case is not ready for final decision.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable disability rating and effective date prior to September 1, 2017 for service connection of residual scars on the left index finger and back have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral ear infections, right ingrown big toenail, and left ingrown big toenail have been remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder have been withdrawn.,No disability rating or effective date has been assigned.