Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left ear hearing loss, and chronic bronchitis have been dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for a painful scar of the left index finger.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to PTSD alone, effective June 28, 2020.,SMC at the housebound rate was granted as of July 28, 2020, based on his service-connected disabilities combined independently rating at 60 percent or more.,Prior to July 28, 2020, SMC was not warranted due to insufficiently rated service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the reduction of disability ratings for recurrent tinea versicolor and painful bilateral foot scars as they were not appealable decisions.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated as 70 percent disabling since June 16, 2016. The additional disabilities do not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100%.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, excessive weight gain, and neck scar was denied. The claim for service connection for excessive weight gain was also denied as obesity per se is not a disability. The rating for the neck scar remains at noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for various disability ratings as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder surgical scars, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for right hand scar is dismissed as moot. The Board has remanded the claims for arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 31, 2006 for service connection of residual scars of the lower back and cervical spine have been denied.,Initial compensable ratings for service-connected residual scars of the lower back and cervical spine have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all related issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for head trauma with scarring due to his withdrawal request. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as new and relevant evidence has been received.

The Veteran's left knee scar is not rated as painful or unstable, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) is related to service.

The appeals for reductions in ratings for right knee instability and left knee instability are dismissed.,Entitlement to an initial rating of 10% for limitation of extension of the left knee is granted.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10% for the right ankle disability is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10% for the surgical scar of the right knee is denied.

The Veteran is granted an initial separate 10 percent rating for a painful right lower quadrant scar from the date of his claim, effective January 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a residual scar from right inguinal hernia, finding that the current disability is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claims for right shoulder scar and right rotator cuff tear were denied as the earliest intent to file a claim was received on April 26, 2018.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for right shoulder scar was denied due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating for laceration scar, left forearm. The TDIU claim is also affected by these unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a heart disability and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for his left chest scar.