Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but he was in receipt of VA compensation and pension benefits at the time. The appellant is granted burial benefits for a plot or interment allowance and nonservice-connected burial benefits, but denied reimbursement for transportation expenses.

The Board has granted service connection for a chorioretinal scar in the right eye, finding that it is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's request for higher level review of the AOJ decision to reject their November 2020 supplemental claim was granted, as the request was timely and addressed a valid issue.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 18, 2019 is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for erectile dysfunction and scars, residuals of prostatectomy abdomen (x4) are both denied. The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 9, 2021 is also denied.

The appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder or insomnia, sleep apnea, and increased ratings for post-operative residuals spinal fusion/IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), painful scar, status post laminectomy, scars, status post laminectomy and spinal fusion surgeries, and maxillary sinusitis has been dismissed as the Veteran's attorney withdrew his appeal in June 2024.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for headaches was rendered moot by the AOJ's award of service connection for headaches in February 2024.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lung cancer residuals and left lung scars as these conditions are now considered service-connected due to a prior decision granting them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and a surgical scar, left lateral chest wall have been granted with effective dates of November 13, 2018. The rating assigned is currently noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left knee strain, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The right hip disability claim is being remanded for a new VA examination, while the right hip scar claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right hip disability claim.

The Board has determined that the claims for higher ratings for various scars and skin disabilities, as well as TDIU, require additional development due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's assertions of pain and need for specialized examination have been acknowledged.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for anterior and posterior trunk scars, status post pleurectomy, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA skin disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right thumb wound, headache disability, right eye scar, head trauma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear injury, right arm scar, chest scar, forehead scar, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety). The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee pain, a back scar, plantar fasciitis, a blood/bone condition, diabetes, and stroke. The claims of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or survivor's pension benefits. The appeal for accrued benefits is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy, urinary condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals of the compensable rating for left knee scar and service connection for urinary condition have been dismissed.

The appeal regarding the effective dates for various service connection awards and benefits has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death before the appeal could be decided.

The appeal regarding the effective dates for various service connection awards and benefits has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death before the appeal could be decided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed to consider the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as associated scars. The issues have not been decided yet.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel reimbursement is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including all relevant medical records and invoices.