Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic arthritis left knee disability from October 22, 2019 to January 10, 2020 is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right knee scars is granted.

The Veteran's residual scars of the posterior trunk are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for face and neck scarring has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce the rating for painful surgical scars, left wrist and left anterior trunk was dismissed. A rating of 20 percent for three painful surgical scars, left wrist is granted.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and shrapnel injuries. However, as he has already received assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, the special home adaptation grant is denied.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was not at a 100% level before October 11, 2019. The Board denied her request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's gynecological conditions, including endometriosis and related procedures, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are due to service in Southwest Asia, specifically exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected adenocarcinoma of the colon and scar of the right lower abdomen do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for his left-hand scars were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the scar conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar left index finger from laceration is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and a left knee disability are remanded, as the evidence does not support their grant. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four issues (bilateral eye disorder, bilateral foot disorder, dental disorder, and scars of the face and neck) were dismissed as they were already pending within a supplemental claim at the time the request for an extension was submitted.

The Veteran requires assistance in accomplishing daily activities and is unable to protect himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, postoperative residuals of bowel injury, back condition, abdominal scars, radiculopathy, hernia, and a scar. SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and he is capable of performing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were evaluated and some ratings were reduced, while others were granted or maintained.,Service connection was established for a right leg discrepancy disability.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of September 29, 2016 for the grant of Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).,An effective date of September 29, 2016 was assigned due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's IHD is rated at a maximum of 60 percent effective October 5, 2020.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established as of the same date.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and a surgical chest scar have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating for either condition.,No compensable ratings were assigned as there was no evidence of myxedema, painful or unstable scars, or underlying soft tissue damage.