Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for various knee conditions, tinnitus, hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The effective dates assigned in previous decisions are maintained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypothyroidism, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for Athlete's foot, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), and bilateral tinnitus were denied. The claim for acne scars was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his scar has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Veteran's scar, s/p scrotal abscess is rated at a 10 percent rating for the entire appeal period.,The Veteran's right knee recurrent sprain with chronic arthralgia and limitation of flexion is remanded due to inadequate examination records.

The Board has reinstated service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, coronary artery disease (CAD) s/p CABG, CABG scars, non-linear superficial anterior trunk scar, left lower extremity (LLE) scar, right lower extremity (RLE) scar, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The reinstatement is effective from May 1, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right iliac osteochondroma, which is asserted to be related to his service-connected thigh contusion. The Veteran claims that this condition was caused by adjusting his walking pattern due to pain from the thigh injury.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,A 20 percent rating, but no higher, for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted.,A compensable (10%) rating for right knee patella tendon repair scar prior to September 16, 2020 is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon repair scar from September 16, 2020 is denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon tear with degenerative joint disease is denied. On and after June 3, 2021, a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for other specified anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with residual neurocognitive disorder, dizziness, and giddiness is granted. The claims for increased ratings of service-connected visual constriction and tinnitus are denied. An effective date of March 4, 2021, but no earlier, for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing Level I hearing acuity in both ears.,The Veteran's right ear scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of one characteristic of disfigurement.,The Veteran's skin rash / eczema is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing intermittent topical therapy and no systemic therapy required over the past 12 months.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 5, 2023 for the service connection of various knee and leg conditions.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the appellant's right lower extremity radiculopathy, but dismissed the issue regarding the lumbar spine surgical scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a right flank flat linear scar status post partial nephrectomy and chronic sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's right leg disabilities were awarded effective November 3, 2022. The VA Regional Office also granted TDIU benefits effective August 8, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities and shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection claims for right ankle, foot, and knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee residual scars, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Veteran's right knee scar disability and limitation of flexion were granted service connection with effective dates of September 10, 2020.,Restoration of the 10% evaluations for these conditions was denied as of April 19, 2022, for the right knee scar disability, and March 21, 2022, for the limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's left eye disability was rated at 30 percent from September 30, 2017, through January 15, 2020. From January 16, 2020, through April 10, 2022, the rating remained at 30 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating was denied from April 11, 2022 onwards.