Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a scalp scar was denied because there were no characteristics of disfigurement. A separate 10 percent rating for a painful scalp scar was granted from November 25, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar scars have all been granted effective as of March 14, 2023.,However, the Veteran's initial compensable rating for his lumbar scars remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an umbilical hernia is being remanded due to incomplete examination findings.,For his residual laparoscopic scars, the Veteran has been granted a rating of 30 percent but no higher.

The Veteran's initial rating for a scar left knee linear, residual of excision of ossicle was granted at 10 percent effective July 1, 2020. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids from July 1, 2020 is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted higher levels of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at rates based on loss of use of both hands and need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's surgical scar of the left knee does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and has remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's two service-connected left-hand scars, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 7, 2022, for service connection of right tibia fracture residuals and associated surgical scar. The appeal was based on a supplemental claim received in April 2022.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent for the entire period on appeal.,A compensable rating of 10 percent has been granted for the Veteran's scars from October 26, 2012, to March 8, 2022. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection for his right knee limitation of extension, meniscectomy, and associated scars. The effective date assigned by VA was October 4, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective dates are set to October 13, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's 10 percent rating for painful scar associated with hysterectomy was restored.,Her claim of a higher rating for status post total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy associated with endocervicosis is denied, and her separate 30 percent rating for pelvic pain causing functional loss effective December 2, 2019, is granted.

The Board has found that there is no current disability related to the Veteran's in-service left thigh injury, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The remaining claims of service connection for a left knee condition, a left shin condition, and a lower back condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected scar, right leg, residuals of FW and RFB, muscle group XI. His claim for a higher rating remains pending. The Board also finds that he should be considered for TDIU due to unemployability related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, including chorioretinal scar and pseudophakia, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes type II, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for service-connected scars of the right foot, effective February 2, 2016. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these scars have been painful throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment before January 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing or incomplete records, and for additional medical opinions regarding his eye conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as he does not require personal assistance from others and is not substantially confined to his dwelling.