Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, with some issues being remanded and others having their decisions left pending further development.,No effective date earlier than May 25, 2021 was granted for the adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and retinal scars are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from February 6, 2013. The Board found that due to his service-connected disabilities, he required the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for hypertension and neck scar were denied. The claim of service connection for arthritis was remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for melanoma, actinic keratosis, multiple nevi of the trunk, and a mid-back scar is granted due to presumed exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that there is approximately balanced evidence supporting the claim.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 2011 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to maintain employment prior to this effective date.

The Veteran's right forearm scar and fracture of the radius, right arm were not rated as compensable. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's fracture middle finger, left hand was not linked to his service. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to May 6, 2020, for the award of a 10 percent rating for left hand scar, status post ganglion cyst removal due to lack of factual ascertainability that the disability increased in severity within one year prior to the receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various scars associated with basal and squamous cell carcinoma have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for painful scar, right testicle was denied as the evidence did not show that his scar met the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent under DC 7804.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for scar, right testicle was denied because the evidence did not show that his scar measured an area of 144 square inches (929 square cm) or greater, which is required for a compensable rating under DC 7802.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for nerve damage, right testicle was denied as the evidence did not show that he had severe incomplete paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the appellant is not eligible to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the April 2022 rating decision due to lack of a valid direct pay fee agreement covering the issues that were granted.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 10, 2021 are granted. The Board has also remanded the claim of service connection for left long finger extensor tenosynovitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 5, 2016. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from September 1, 2018.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating prior to April 26, 2011, based on the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability, including partial blindness due to projectile injury. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or exposure that could be linked to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to lack of anatomical loss of hands or feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, osteoarthritis of the right hand second digit and thumb, asthma, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), prostate cancer with prostatectomy, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, right thigh residual scar, right index finger scar, and abdomen scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral vision loss, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, right neck lesion, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain, lumbar spine disability, colon disability with associated abdominal scar, and foot disabilities. The reasons given include lack of evidence showing the conditions were present during or within one year after service, no credible link to service, and failure to show continuity of symptoms.