Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity ilioinguinal neurectomy and a 20 percent disability rating for his painful scars throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's spontaneous miscarriage, finding that it is related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, front head scar, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) are not granted. The case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the claims for higher ratings and entitlement to TDIU must be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically regarding the left fibula disability. The Veteran's other left leg disabilities were examined, but not his left fibula disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear reasons for denial and inadequate notice. The claim will be reviewed under applicable regulations regarding payment of non-VA medical care.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 16, 2014 for both the TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected autoimmune disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling since June 24, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's ulnar nerve neuropathy from shell fragment wound to the left minor forearm, retained metal fragment in left femur muscle group XIV, and scars are all rated as noncompensable under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The Veteran's left upper eyelid scar is granted a separate 10 percent rating, but the higher rating for the same condition remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ must obtain relevant disability determination records from the Social Security Administration, as well as any state or local disability claim records if provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and scar status post pilonidal cyst have been granted service connection, while the pes planus has been denied. The initial compensable rating for PFB and a 10 percent disability rating for the pilonidal cyst scar have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further rating and service connection determinations.,No effective date earlier than November 20, 2019, was granted for the grant of service connection for right knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as they do not result in anatomical loss or use impairment that would be equally well served by an amputation with a prosthetic appliance.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, except for the periods when he was already receiving a TDIU.

The Veteran's right ear scar is not productive of characteristics of disfigurement, visible or palpable tissue loss, or gross distortion or asymmetry. The claim for a compensable rating for the right ear scar is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle scar has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective July 3, 2007.,The Board is remanding the issues regarding left cervical radiculopathy and right ankle residuals for additional development.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was caused by willful misconduct (driving under the influence) and not related to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for painful surgical scars on the right ankle, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced in favor of a grant due to pain and instability.