Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD and frostbite to face have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and fibromyalgia, as well as her requests to restore disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and linear scars. The rating reductions for allergic rhinitis and linear scars were found to be improper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, facial acne with scarring, and onychomycosis were denied originally in a February 2010 rating decision. The effective date of the grants of service connection was assigned as November 28, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for postpartum perineal tear with redundant tissue was also granted on November 28, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot amputation and peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in loss of use of his right foot. The Board has determined that he is eligible for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to this condition.

The Veteran's tummy tuck scar is granted service connection, but her GERD and cesarean section are denied. The bilateral tubal ligation surgery resulted in permanent sterilization as the intended result, so she cannot be granted service connection for that procedure. Joint pain (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness) and seborrheic dermatitis have been remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's multiple superficial, linear scars on his anterior chest due to lack of deep or limited motion, and no evidence of instability. The Veteran's existing 30% rating for painful scars remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for alcohol and substance abuse disorder has been withdrawn. The Veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD have been granted with a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to walk and use his extremities without significant aid.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected chest scar. The earlier effective date claim for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's disability increased in severity prior to his April 18, 2022 claim. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for scars on the right hand, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve, and left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the femoral nerve are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle disability, pelvic inflammatory disease, hypertension, and right ankle scars, have caused her to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for left foot post traumatic 3rd phalanx hammertoe s/p arthroplasty and scar, left 3rd toe ventral surface were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his single hammertoe condition or the small size of his scar.

The Veteran's midline low back scar is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are effective from June 30, 2020. The criteria for basic eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits are established from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the claims are being remanded to the AOJ for further review of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical evidence and unanswered questions from previous examinations. The Veteran's PFB, scars of the face and neck, and painful scars of the face and neck are being evaluated again.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 30, 2007, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar scar is denied.,Effective dates earlier than September 25, 2018, for the grants of 10% ratings for partial paresthesia and ganglion cyst are denied.

The Veteran's compensable disability rating for a residual scar, left axilla area is denied due to the scar not being painful or unstable and having an area less than 929 square centimeters.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left upper extremity ulnar and median nerve neuropathy is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's scars from a service-connected right-hand laceration injury are granted a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's residuals of the right hand (major) laceration, peripheral neuropathy median nerve, is denied an increased rating.