Scars decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded multiple claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including those related to service connection and disability ratings.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions, including Bell's Palsy and residuals of a total hysterectomy. Service connection claims were also remanded for further review.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date of November 12, 1981, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for scar, status post ligament transfer left ankle sprain is granted. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection or increased ratings for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his ruptured cecal diverticulum and other conditions, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits claims are granted from July 16, 2010 to October 11, 2016. The SMC based on aid and attendance claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed eyebrow and nose scars, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's right foot disability and scar are granted with a 10% evaluation effective October 26, 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected scarring, lower face. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not show visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion or asymmetry such as that contemplated by an 80% rating.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for anterior trunk scar and a higher rating for nose scar were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher disability rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood alone does not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for SMC at 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) rate is denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, were denied effective from the date of receipt of his claim in September 1989. The Board found that an earlier effective date was not warranted due to the finality of the prior decisions and the lack of a valid appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he explicitly withdrew his claims for effective dates prior to September 16, 2016, and other related issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right thumb/hand disability and post-appendectomy/post-C-section scar have been denied as she failed to cooperate in rescheduling VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervix cancerous cells has been denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to address the residuals of the mouth injury, including facial scars or scars. The Veteran's claim is not related to any specific exposure basis and no rating was assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2019.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was proper, and the Veteran's claim is denied. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for corneal scar of the left eye with bilateral tear film insufficiency (claimed as flash burns) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 22, 2018 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a painful scar of the midline abdomen have been denied as there is no indication that the Veteran had filed an application for these conditions before this date.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted effective from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 31, 2020. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as his employment as a VA police officer was considered substantial gainful employment.