Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection for chronic headaches and a right scalp scar as residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. However, the initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his appendectomy scar, as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7804.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of right ring finger dislocation was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion beyond what is already provided by the current non-compensable rating.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease secondary to residuals of right ring finger dislocation was not granted, as there is insufficient evidence to support this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a scar on the right upper chest is denied as it does not meet the criteria under DC 7802.,The Veteran's service-connected MDD is currently rated at 30 percent and is denied an increased rating in excess of this level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance from November 15, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance.

The appeal is remanded for another medical opinion to address the Veteran's lung disorders, including pulmonary nodules, restrictive lung disease, lung scarring, and atelectasis.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and right radical orchiectomy claims have been denied as the evidence does not support a compensable rating.,The Veteran's painful scar claim has been granted with a 10 percent disability rating prior to July 31, 2020, but denied for an initial rating greater than 10 percent since that date.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), which was granted in December 2021 with an effective date of August 5, 2010. The Board has determined that there may be evidence indicating that the Veteran's conditions increased his unemployability prior to this date and has therefore remanded the case for a referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service.

The Board denied service connection for scars to the chest as there was no evidence linking them to service, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's left hip disability status post hip replacement is granted a 70 percent evaluation from July 1, 2021. The claim for an increased rating for left hip scarring is denied.

The Veteran's painful scar on his lumbar spine was granted a 10% rating effective September 2, 2021.,Effective March 10, 2021, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the compensable disability rating for the anterior trunk scar status post myomectomy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to address the service connection for PTSD and the increased disability ratings for GSW with healed left femur fractures in muscle groups XIII and XIV, as well as the residual scars on the left leg. The issues of earlier effective date are not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the VA examination inadequate to address neck pain as secondary to tinnitus and remanded for an adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were remanded due to inadequate VA examinations that did not address his reported pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis or neurological impairment, and the functional loss due to pain did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for fatty liver disease and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for five painful abdominal scars s/p partial nephrectomy effective November 13, 2023. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran requested their withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment solely because of these conditions.

The Veteran's C-section scar is rated at a compensable level (10%) effective February 11, 2022.,The Veteran's painful C-section scar has been restored to a 10% rating but no higher.

The Board has decided that the VA examination provided for the rating of PFB is inadequate and remands the case to obtain a new, adequate examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat feet and head injury residuals, to include headaches. The Veteran's right forehead scar was granted a separate 10% rating for painful scars.,Service connection for bilateral flat feet and head injury residuals were not established as the evidence did not show an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current disability.