Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bronchogenic carcinoma and surgical scars are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility under VA regulations.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a neck disorder and denied TDIU, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

Your appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopic surgery with scar and in excess of 10 percent for left knee, anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency and laxity have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected right knee ACL tear and for a compensable rating for her service-connected right knee scar due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for scars of the head and neck as there is no current disability. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI, respiratory disability (secondary to exposure), right foot, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran’s left foot residuals of crush injury with metatarsalgia fusion of interphalangeal joint of the great toe with no toe movement and degenerative changes with scars are rated 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.,The Veteran's left foot decreased sensation with history of reflect sympathetic dystrophy is remanded for further evaluation. The current assigned rating of 30 percent is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating for left foot decreased sensation with reflect sympathetic dystrophy.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at a 10 percent level prior to January 30, 2012. From January 30, 2012, to January 15, 2013, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating for CAD. From January 16, 2013, to March 11, 2015, he was granted a 100 percent rating for CAD. The Veteran's CABG scar was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including sleep disorder and various scars. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations for his eczema and associated scars.

The Veteran's left tibia scar and bilateral tinnitus have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, so his claims are denied.,The Veteran's liver transplant is considered to be unrelated to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current liver condition and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Service connection for a respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath is remanded due to the presence of additional service treatment records that may affect the VA examiner’s opinion.,The right knee disability is remanded as it may be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10 percent, and the abdominal scar is rated at zero percent. The Board denied an increased rating for both conditions.,Service connection was denied for an incisional hernia, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction and a scar associated with prostate cancer have been dismissed.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had three painful scars, none of which were unstable, and thus warranted a 20 percent rating from July 15, 2016 to September 24, 2018. For the period after September 24, 2018, the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 were not met as there was no evidence of more than three painful scars or unstable scars. The Veteran's nerve injury to his left foot and nerve decompression was rated at 20 percent since January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's left eye condition, which includes optic atrophy, chorioretinal laser scars, and blindness, has resulted in visual acuity of 5/200 or worse. The Board found that the current rating of 30 percent is appropriate given her symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability ratings of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of SLE, increased rating for left shoulder disability, and compensable rating for status/Post laparoscopic cholecystectomy with residual scars were denied. The effective date issue was not addressed as it is a separate claim.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for scar, status post right inguinal hernia surgery prior to January 23, 2017, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded as the VA has not conducted an examination to determine his daily personal assistance needs attributable solely to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.