Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations and the AOJ did not properly develop the claim in accordance with M21-1 provisions governing claims involving foreign residency.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Board is unable to grant an earlier effective date as the claim was not filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is considering any evidence not previously considered. The Veteran's IBS claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of IBS in the record. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual scarring was combined with scars to the face associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a 10% rating has been assigned since January 8, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability rating for PFB have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current wrist sprain, right hand sprain, or PFB are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on multiple diabetic and amputation conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's right-hand scars are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under diagnostic code 7804. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as none of his scars met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cholecystectomy and associated scars were denied compensable ratings as there was no evidence of current symptoms or residuals related to the procedures.

The Veteran's right thumb scar has not resulted in an area or areas of 144 square inches, and therefore a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's status post distal right 1st finger laceration did not result in limitation of motion with a gap between the thumb pad and fingers, thus a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 24, 2020, and October 8, 2020, by Flat River Family Dentistry due to lack of prior authorization from VA and the absence of a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of potential environmental exposures under the PACT Act.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, a nasal scar, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Burkitt lymphoma was denied, as there is no evidence of active disease or treatment during the appeal period.,The Veteran's curved right side of head scar was rated at 10 percent and remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding an additional scar on his face or neck.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, inguinal hernia, and hernia scar have rendered him unemployable due to their combined effect. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his left shoulder surgical scars as they do not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's right leg disabilities were awarded effective November 3, 2022. Effective March 3, 2017, he was granted service connection for venous stasis ulcer of the right leg with chronic stasis dermatitis and resulting scars with venous insufficiency and right lower extremity venous stasis ulcer and edema and peripheral vascular disease with venous insufficiency. Effective August 8, 2017, he was granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, TMJ disability, and a painful scar from heart surgery are all granted with specific effective dates.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a compensable rating.,For his left shoulder disability, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating due to limited motion being less than 25 degrees from the side. The Veteran's appeal was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not had a single disability rated at 60 percent disabling, or a disability rated at least 40 percent.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected burn scars and anxiety disorder is sufficient to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) across the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, with some issues being remanded.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.