Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his painful scar of the left eyebrow was denied, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,His initial compensable rating for scar of the left eyebrow was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, left hand scar, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The right foot disability (plantar fasciitis) and right shoulder disability claims are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, asthma, bilateral radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in lower extremities, bilateral radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in lower extremities, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and post-operative scars of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to keep himself clean and presentable due to his conditions.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and lower chin and cheek scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee scar. The left ankle sprain issue is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gunshot wound residuals and posttraumatic stress disorder, were awarded effective the day after she separated from active duty. The Board denied earlier effective dates for these awards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disability, left hip disability, left wrist disability, pseudo-folliculitis barbae (PFB) with scarring, and sinusitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU prior to August 28, 2013 and from August 28, 2013 and prior to November 26, 2019. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a schedular or extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his painful left wrist scar associated with residual fracture of the left carponavicular, post operative with bone graft and degenerative arthritis was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has no more than one or two painful scars on his left wrist.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for recurrent right ankle sprains has been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his right ankle surgical scar has also been denied due to the scar measuring less than 144 square inches and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded as there was an error in failing to consider updated evidence showing suicidal ideation.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 3, 2020 for the grant of service connection for right pinky finger scar and linear scar of the right pinky finger, finding that the Veteran's original claim was received within one year of his separation from service.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and frequent urination are denied.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia scar is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,The claim for service connection for ilioinguinal nerve entrapment is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for left hip and low back conditions, as well as the need for further evaluation of his right knee condition and chest scar.

The Veteran's service connection claims for stage IV colon cancer, lung cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and abdominal scar have been granted with effective dates of September 8, 2021.,An earlier effective date of December 22, 2021 has also been granted for service connection for lung cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, which was due to advanced age and cardiac arrest. The VA medical opinions found no causal link between the service-connected conditions and obesity, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, hypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, atrial fibrillation, and chloracne scar are all denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran did not serve during a period of war, and therefore the appellant is not entitled to pension benefits. The Veteran's death occurred after he had received his last VA benefit claim, so accrued benefits are also denied.

The Board denied effective dates prior to June 16, 2021 for various service connection claims and increased ratings.

The Veteran's application for VR&E benefits was denied because he did not meet the criteria for an employment handicap, despite having a combined rating of 100 percent due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran had overcome any impairments caused by his disabilities and was employed in a suitable position.