Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye corneal scar, finding that it arose during active duty and is not related to the Veteran's refractive errors.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, inguinal hernia, and umbilical scar associated with the inguinal hernia repair are all granted. The allergic rhinitis is rated at zero percent, the inguinal hernia at zero percent, and the umbilical scar at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms or a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis are found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis prior to the filing of the claim. Other conditions such as painful scars, hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, cervical spine disorder, wrist disorders, arm disorders, hip disorders, shin disorders, ankle disorders, and foot disorders are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the service connection for right knee disorder and scar. The appellant's claims are related to his military service, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if any pre-existing conditions existed or worsened during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right foot burn scars, effective February 5, 2021. The Veteran's pain in one scar warranted this higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a five-inch scar on his abdomen associated with lipoma was dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for PTSD, HTN, and migraines during the specified periods.

The Veteran's right wrist scar, which developed during service, is granted as service connected.

For the period on appeal from June 6, 2013, to December 9, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected scars are manifested by one or two painful scars. For the period on appeal from December 9, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected scar disability is manifested by three painful scars.,For the period on appeal from June 6, 2013, to December 9, 2021, the Veteran was granted a rating of 10 percent disabling for his service-connected scars. For the period on appeal from December 9, 2021, the Veteran's scar disability is now rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) and scar, status/post CABG was granted effective December 7, 2016. The earlier effective dates for the ratings were determined based on the date of claim or the date entitlement arose.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable evaluation for left breast conditions due to improper concurrent elections.

The Veteran's status post scar on his lower back was denied a compensable evaluation as it did not meet the criteria for any of the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected back scar. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning an earlier effective date or a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, anterior body scar, left lower extremity scar, right lower extremity scar, and hemorrhagic stroke residuals, as well as entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to August 4, 2023, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the examination records.

The Veteran's claims for additional months of service-connected compensation for various conditions have been denied. The effective dates and payment start dates are legally correct.

The Veteran's competency is restored, he is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and his rating for migraines is increased to 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating does not accurately reflect his condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for service-connected scar, left-lateral orbital rim, was also denied. The Board concluded that the current noncompensable rating is appropriate given the lack of findings supporting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, restoration of his rating for left ankle scarring, and an increased rating for his left Achilles tendon rupture with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability meeting VA standards.