Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains denied as it is already at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and initial compensable ratings for anterior trunk scars and left lower extremity scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, as they do not involve anatomical loss of use of both hands, burn injuries, inhalational injuries, blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less, or specific combinations of impairments.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a mid-thigh amputation of the right leg, depression, various scars, tendon injuries, and neurological conditions. The decision is effective as of the date of the rating decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), and gynecological disability (miscarriage residuals).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to hCG in blood, and therefore service connection is denied. The cases of residuals of stroke, acquired psychiatric disorder, speech disorder, left arm disorder, burn scar of the left arm, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and posttraumatic stress disorder. The evaluation for migraine headaches remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee scar was denied. The claim for increased rating for his left knee disability, which included pain and limitation of motion, was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The RO reduced his disability rating for painful scars from 30% to 10%, effective December 1, 2017, based on improvement in his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee ACL tears with joint osteoarthritis, as well as his surgical scars from a right knee replacement. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right eye disability is rated at 30 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for corneal scar has been granted. The claim for TDIU was denied as the service-connected disabilities do not preclude the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating claim for scapula scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and abdomen GSW scars have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions, or sufficient medical opinion linking them to service.

The Veteran's hypopigmented scar, right wrist/hand, was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and address whether he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to his service-connected disabilities or service. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension and accrued benefits are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 12, 2013, for a grant of service connection for major depression disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for a right foot scar and for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for major depressive disorder are remanded due to lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's scar residuals from a laceration of the fourth left finger are granted a compensable rating (10%) due to pain.