Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin cancer and secondary service connection for his scars of the lip, nose, and left ear as being related to his now service-connected skin cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce his disability rating for postoperative scarring of the left elbow has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding Reserve records and other missing medical evidence. The claims include hypoglycemia, infertility due to pyridostigmine bromide exposure, scars of the trunk and extremities, urticaria with dermographism (claimed as rash, skin allergy, cyst, benign skin growth), residuals of cervical cancer, hyperactive immune response, and a chronic disability manifested by blood sugar regulation problems and low blood sugar. The Board also requested additional VA examinations to address these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, as he was not found to be in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, right hand residual injury, arthritis (to include gouty arthritis), right shoulder condition, right hand laceration scar, left and right ankle conditions, bowel condition, and hemorrhoids due to new evidence indicating they may be related to service. The Veteran's PTSD claim has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to a lack of recent VA treatment records, need for new examinations, and consideration of updated eye rating criteria. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis from throughout the period of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since December 12, 2015. The Board has granted the TDIU claim effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for head and face scars is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new examination is needed to assess the impact of his left eye impairment on his scar conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been satisfied with the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The claims for increased ratings for shell fragment wounds, post-phlebitic left thigh residuals, aneurysm, and wound scar of the scalp are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome, left eye chorioretinal scar and retina detachment repair were denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for chorioretinal scar, right eye is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, complete the Veteran's VA Form 21-4192 for his previous employers, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for histoplasmosis of lungs/scar tissue and plantar fasciitis (heel pain) due to inadequate examination findings, lack of nexus opinions, and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left eye cornea scarring has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of incapacitating episodes or worsened visual acuity, and thus no higher rating could be granted.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied as there is no diagnosis in conformity with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, painful scar, residual muscle injury from shell fragment wound, eczema, malaria, healed muscle damage, scar, and hearing loss. The housebound claim is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his symptoms and their impact on employment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 13, 2017 through September 30, 2019 remains granted. However, a final decision cannot be rendered at this time as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from October 1, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for an extraschedular evaluation based on individual unemployability.