Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral fifth toe conditions, as the previous examination was over 3 years ago and the Veteran continues to assert worsening of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right thumb disability, right thumb scarring, lumbar spine disability, upper respiratory disability (diminished lung capacity), sleep apnea disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA is directed to provide examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for kidney cancer, sleep apnea, and right third finger scar. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a right-hand injury and skin disability.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted for the period prior to March 10, 2014 due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further action regarding an initial rating greater than 60 percent for non-small cell lung cancer status post resection.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder and right knee disability. The Veteran's left shoulder surgical scar is granted a 10% evaluation from January 12, 2018 onward.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for new evaluations of his neck disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment information and a need for further assessments. The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including pursuing an M.S.W. Degree, is pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for PTSD was not timely filed, resulting in the June 2014 rating decision becoming final. Tinnitus is rated at its maximum of 10 percent. Hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. GERD meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating but no higher. The scar claim was granted based on service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot pes planus, right ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle surgical scar were remanded due to the need for further development.,No effective date was assigned as the claims arose prior to August 9, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to loss of use of her right arm was granted. However, the claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder scars was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is needed, including obtaining Reserve unit records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evaluations and unclear pain related to the Veteran's scars. The Veteran is entitled to a compensable evaluation for his surgical scars, but needs clarification on their severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment for the period from November 20, 2014 to September 24, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's lung cancer is currently in remission after radiation treatment, but there are concerns about the condition worsening. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity and residuals of his service-connected lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The claims are now pending and need further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff disability, spine strain, hallux valgus residuals, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a scar from the right great toe. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and hip disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records.