Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all three issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's left side face/neck scar and tenderness are due to an epidermoid cyst removal during active service. Service connection for the condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his service-connected back disability and scar.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches/migraine. The Veteran's current migraine headaches are related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, the issue of service connection for hydrocephalus intravascular mass status post ventriculostomy (claimed as brain tumor) and scars (head, face, or neck) secondary to this condition remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including TBI, shoulder disability, arm disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of prior formal or informal claims filed before April 24, 2018.

Service connection for a fractured tooth root is granted, allowing outpatient dental treatment.,Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is service-connected and rated at 50%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of IBS and scars of the left lower extremity, residuals of sebaceous cyst removal, are being remanded due to insufficient development. The Board also finds that his claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed as he now has a combined rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are considered, but his lay statements regarding needing aid and attendance are also taken into account.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ear tympanic membrane scar, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 due to an error in the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for RLE and LLE sciatic radiculopathy, as well as the left knee scar, were granted with effective dates of October 9, 2019. The right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability received their initial effective date on October 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left foot arthritis and a prior effective date have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening of his service connection claim or assignment of a separate non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not establish entitlement to a combined rating of at least 70% for his service-connected disabilities prior to February 26, 2020.,The DEA claim was also denied due to the denial of the TDIU claim and the effective date assigned for the TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the Veteran did not have any pending increased rating claims prior to February 6, 2023.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased evaluation remains denied. The effective date of September 10, 2018 has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 30, 2022, for the grant of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that there is a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities during this period.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the proposed reduction of his rating for radical cysto prostatectomy with scar from 100 percent to 0 percent. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance since September 21, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation prior to September 21, 2022 was denied as there is no evidence of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the issues of earlier effective dates for post-operative right submandibular gland excision with facial nerve involvement and associated residual surgical scar of the neck and throat area. The Board dismissed these appeals.