Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has granted an effective date of January 11, 2020 for the award of service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition. The decision is based on the Veteran's continuous pursuit of his claim and the inclusion of the right ankle disability within the scope of the original claim.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar of the lower lumbar spine, as there is only one such scar and it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The issues include bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, left knee septic condition as secondary to bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, acquired psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis of the lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the low back, and jaw/speech impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that affect his mobility and require a wheelchair and assistive devices.

The Veteran's scar associated with right rotator cuff surgery was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right thigh scar, including a postoperative staphylococcal infection. The AOJ is instructed to obtain service treatment records from September 2006 to August 2007 and provide an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder scars are currently rated as 20 percent, effective March 16, 2022. The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the entire appeal period prior to March 16, 2022 and denied any increase in rating since that date.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful linear scar to the right neck was denied. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as the Veteran has already been granted TDIU from December 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for papillary thyroid carcinoma and associated scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is remanded, as well as a reasonably raised claim for temporary total disability rating due to lumbar spine surgery. The AOJ will conduct further evaluations and adjudications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence regarding his scalp scars and nerve damage. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for left cheek and nose scars, effective August 1, 2024, was proper as there is actual improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip scars were reduced from a 10% disability rating to noncompensable (0%) effective September 1, 2022. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 10% rating.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a compensable initial disability rating for surgical incision scars of the left ankle and scar tissue on the great toe of the left foot, as there is no evidence that these conditions meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's skin disorders rating criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for his left shoulder scar, which is painful, was granted from June 24, 2021.

The Board has restored the Veteran's reduced ratings for his functional visual field defect and left upper eyelid scar, as there was no improvement in their ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The increased rating claims for residual surgical scar, right shoulder arthroscopy; left knee mild iliotibial band syndrome; and right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for scars along the jaw near the ears with numbness, but has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his post-surgical spinal fusion scar is denied as the evidence does not show that he has scars associated with underlying tissue damage.