Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy, and scars did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding his TDIU claim due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including knee disabilities, depression, arthritis, and fractures. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues of FSAD, right knee limitation of extension, left knee limitation of extension, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a painful scalp scar and a scalp scar was denied. The effective dates were set at March 1, 2023.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a scalp scar (which replaced the separate 10 percent ratings under Diagnostic Codes 7804) was also denied.,The Board found that no earlier effective dates were warranted as there were no claims or intent to file prior to March 1, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 4, 2017, for the award of a 100 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is dismissed.,An initial compensable rating for scar as residual of anal fissure is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for anal fissure scar prior to October 20, 2011, is also denied.

The Veteran's post-surgical abdominal scar and chronic diarrhea have been granted initial evaluations.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, incontinence and urinary dysfunction, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy has been denied or is pending further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating increases related to various conditions has been dismissed due to his death. The effective dates of the awards have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since February 3, 2014. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted as February 3, 2014.,Sarcoidosis and skin condition were not granted earlier than November 3, 2011 due to lack of prior claims. Effective date for scars of the left upper arm is also denied as it was inferred from sarcoidosis claim.,PTSD remains at 50% despite Veteran's contention that her symptoms are more severe. No higher rating granted for PTSD.,Sarcoidosis rated at 10%. Skin condition and scars of the left upper arm remain at non-compensable ratings.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the HG80 hinged knee brace is granted. However, his claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to use of hydrophilic and menthol topical creams is denied.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted as March 9, 2020. The Board found the Veteran was permanently and totally disabled on that date.

The Veteran's bilateral knee scars have been rated at a 10 percent disability rating for painful surgical scars, effective from the date of the May 2020 decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and painful scar of the right forearm are granted service connection as they had onset in service.,A maximum schedular 20 percent rating for status post left hip arthroscopic surgery for labrum repair based on loss of abduction is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the August 2023 rating decisions implementing the August 1, 2023, Board decision were purely ministerial and thus not appealable.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, leaving no issues for review.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate effective March 12, 2022. The decision is based on his service-connected depression and tinnitus, which together meet the criteria for SMC.

Service connection has been granted for broken nose, facial scars, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, TBI, right ankle pain, sleep apnea as secondary to broken nose, and acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's service-connected broken nose is linked to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's scar on his forehead, finding that it is painful and meets the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under DC 7804.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his limitations are primarily due to nonservice-connected conditions.