Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including left upper chest pacemaker scars, painful scar status post cardiac pacemaker reimplantation, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The decision also notes that VA treatment records from Homer VA Clinic are needed.

The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right chest scars, finding that they are painful and unstable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left shoulder scars and left ring finger disability, finding that the evidence did not support assigning these ratings.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, as the evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions.

The Board granted service connection for a stomach disability, an incisional ventral hernia, and increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals, status-post appendectomy with abdominal scarring and adhesions, and scar status-post appendectomy.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left knee postoperative surgical scars have been denied as the scars do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7801.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Board denied service connection for facial scarring as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the evidence does not support a finding that it began during or is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance prior to December 15, 2021 was denied as there is no evidence showing he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his sleep disorder claim. The scar, status post right inguinal hernia repair, has been granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his mental state at the time of misconduct, as well as obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical care provided at NYPMG Queens on September 4, 2020, to September 6, 2020, finding that the treatment was related to his service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa and rendered in a medical emergency. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for status post right inguinal hernia repair and scar, status post right inguinal hernia repair.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 2, 2019, and from February 1, 2021, is denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, HIV and AIDS, PFB, and left hand ring finger disability are denied. The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for his left hand scar disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 30, 2020, for the award of service connection for painful scar, status post right inguinal hernia repair is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a failure to submit a completed VA Form 21-526 within one year of her intent to file, despite receiving multiple notices and opportunities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow any substantially gainful occupation, thus a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 9, 2020 for the service connection of left shoulder strain, glenohumeral joint dislocation, status-post Bankart procedure; right shoulder strain; left shoulder residual scar; right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis; and right knee strain.