Scars decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on regular aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities required him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left forearm scar is granted a rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The scar is painful and rated under the criteria for unstable or painful scars.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include left lung scarring, asthma, COPD, and lingular pneumonia.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's right hand keloid scar, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of underlying soft tissue damage or coverage exceeding 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.).

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right hip disorders, finding no legal basis to assign an earlier date than January 4, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current symptoms to any in-service incident or disability.,For the scar of the right big toe, associated with hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, a compensable rating is denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, including scar, due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives and pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's throat cancer is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. His skin cancer and scars are also granted as secondary to his throat cancer. The earlier effective date for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for right shoulder arthroplasty is granted at a 60 percent rating, and he is awarded a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The residual right shoulder scar does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as the rating decisions awarding his service-connected disabilities became final.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, characterized as COPD, emphysema, and pulmonary scarring fibrosis status post tuberculosis, is rated at 100 percent effective August 25, 2020.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and lower back scar, effective October 1, 2021.

The Board denied the appeal as the severance of service connection for left foot painful scars was proper, and the rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent effective June 1, 2022 for a left foot disorder was also proper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for healed umbilical scar, post appendectomy and residuals status post appendectomy are granted with effective dates of June 22, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for scars, including the right hand scar status post squamous cell carcinoma excision, is denied. The Board found that there was no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date due to the March 2023 rating decision already assigning the earliest possible effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for scars, including the right hand scar status post squamous cell carcinoma excision, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to November 30, 2015, and that the Veteran's service-connected scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for scars, including the right hand scar status post squamous cell carcinoma excision, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to November 30, 2015, and that the Veteran's service-connected scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted effective June 14, 2021. The claim for an increased rating for corneal abrasion, right eye with residual trace corneal scar and dry eye syndrome is denied. The issue of a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or permanent bedridden status at any time during the appeal period.