Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for his left ring finger scar is denied as the increase in severity was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to November 30, 2020.

The Veteran's facial scars are not currently service-connected, and the Board has ordered a new medical opinion to address this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of her service-connected cervical strain is dismissed. The cases for an initial compensable rating for her abdominal scar and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for her migraines are remanded.

The Veteran's TBI was granted a 40 percent disability rating from April 20, 2017 to September 19, 2018. The Veteran's sinusitis and nasal bone disability were denied increased ratings prior to February 26, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for service-connected left knee painful scar and lateral aspect scar is denied. The case is remanded to schedule an examination for the Veteran's left elbow muscular weakness.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral fallen arches and flatfoot, shin splints, surgery residuals, high blood pressure, and scar formation as the Veteran did not report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a scar on their left shoulder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw the issue.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is denied. The earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acne is denied. The earliest possible effective date is April 16, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for recurrent moderate major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae residual anterior neck scars, and right eye corneal scars.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right inguinal hernias, status post repair, and their respective scars due to a lack of an adequate etiological opinion.

The Veteran's neck scars are rated at 50% effective from August 30, 2002. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU rating prior to September 8, 1999.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, right hand disability, lumbar spine disability, and residual scar, lumbar spine surgery were dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or VA Form 10182 within one year from the date of notification letters.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right hand disability was also dismissed because she failed to timely file a VA Form 10182 after the September 2019 decision. ,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability were dismissed as well, due to her failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or VA Form 10182 within one year from the date of notification letters.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was granted in an April 2024 rating decision and is considered fully granted, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful right eye scar was denied as the evidence did not indicate three or more scars that were unstable or painful.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right eye scar was also denied because he does not have at least one characteristic of disfigurement.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected left lower extremity scars and right-sided carpal tunnel syndrome have been dismissed as the July 2021 rating decisions were not initial decisions issued after the implementation of the modernized system.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's multiple disfiguring facial scars from November 29, 1991 to August 30, 2002. The condition was rated as noncompensably disabling during this period.

The Board granted a 20% rating for radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve prior to April 6, 2022, and a 40% rating beginning April 6, 2022. It also granted a TDIU effective January 4, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and she meets the requirements for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate. The TDIU is granted based on the combined 100 percent rating of all service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, ulcerative colitis, hiatal hernia, and surgical scars are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.