Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding his service connection claim and a clarification of whether he has any neuropathic pain related to his inservice surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 1, 2005 forward. The Board granted TDIU effective November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a compensable rating for his left index finger scar and insufficient evidence to warrant an increased rating for his median nerve disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to her request. The issues of service connection and initial ratings remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left thumb laceration and scar were denied as there was no evidence showing the conditions arose during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a right calf stab wound with muscle group XI residual scar was denied. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a right thumb disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and lower extremity conditions, cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance. As such, the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially in causing his death due to metastatic prostate cancer. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is currently assigned a noncompensable rating for his left leg varicose vein prior to December 8, 2016 and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating but no greater for the scar due to excision of melanoma on his back.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, leading to dementia. The Board finds that the evidence supports the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders. The Veteran's hypertension was granted with a 10% rating.,Residual facial scars were also granted.

The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating, and her radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were rated as 10 percent disabling since February 23, 2015. The painful abdominal scar received a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined disability rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher; taken together, these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct necessary examinations, and issue a statement of the case for certain service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including residual scarring from cellulitis, has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as there was no competent, probative opinion linking it to his service. For other conditions, the evidence supported the current assigned disability ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma (back of head, face, and right orbit), facial scars, neck disability, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.