Scars Board decisions

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gall bladder removal scars has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from March 1, 2017 onward due to service-connected disabilities. However, the case is remanded for consideration of whether a TDIU should be awarded from October 1, 2013 to March 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GIST, gastric ulcer, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and a painful surgical scar due to potential secondary effects from his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left eye disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 12, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and thereafter has been denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating based on visual impairment or incapacitating episodes. For TDIU, the Veteran's sole service-connected disability is not rated at least 40 percent disabling when combined with any non-service connected disabilities, thus denying entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2014. From December 31, 2014, the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records regarding his bilateral ocular hypertension. The original decision denied a higher rating for his painful scar on the neck, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for a disfiguring scar beginning July 29, 2016.

The Veteran's lung disability, including a granuloma of the right lung with scarring, is granted as service connected due to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left eye glaucoma and chorioretinal scar is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination. Additionally, the earlier effective date claim related to the August 2010 rating decision is improper.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability, back disability, and right and left upper extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except left upper extremity neurological disability and left elbow scar have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss and left shoulder scar disabilities have worsened since the last examinations, necessitating further evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD have been reopened. The initial disability rating for painful scar residual of shrapnel fragment wound, claimed as SFW, right leg is denied. The initial compensable rating for left popliteal fossa scar residual of shrapnel fragment wound, claimed as SFW, right leg is also denied.

The Veteran's TBI claim was denied as there were no subjective symptoms or physical findings to warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's scar of the scalp claim was denied because it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.,The Veteran's scar of the lower left leg claim was denied due to lack of evidence supporting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and bilateral tinnitus, made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 6, 2014. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at October 18, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% rating. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and right lower extremity bradykinesia, loss of automatic movements, and muscle rigidity, result in the need for assistive devices such as a walker to prevent locomotion without them. The Board finds eligibility for specially adapted housing due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of muscle removal/damage, right side abdomen/stomach with surgical scar removed and transplanted to service-connected left calf.,The Board also denied service connection for a left shoulder condition. The low back condition was remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% effective October 21, 2013.,Service connection for scars of the left foot and right knee is granted with an effective date of October 14, 2014.,Service connection for scars of the left ankle is granted with an effective date of February 7, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines prior to October 21, 2013 is denied.