Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a left knee scar is denied, and her restoration of a 20 percent rating for cervical spine disability, effective October 1, 2020, is granted. The ratings for higher evaluations for the cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for scar, residual TMJ scope was granted at 10 percent. Service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied, while service connection for a skin disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for TMJ syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection of diverticulitis with residuals of large intestine resection and lower abdomen scar, as well as major depressive disorder, was denied. The RO assigned the earliest possible effective dates based on when the Veteran submitted his claims.,For major depressive disorder, the Veteran did not file a claim prior to March 17, 2014, which is the date of receipt of his application for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. His obstructive sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection for chronic bronchitis and obstructive lung disease is granted due to exposure to burn pits in Djibouti.,Service connection for a scar on the left hand/thumb, a residual of a left hand/finger injury sustained during ADT, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bladder cancer and a surgical scar were dismissed due to his death. The appeal is being dismissed without prejudice as the Board does not have jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, back disability, TBI residuals, and neck disability. The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine if there has been a change in the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that his appeal was not about service connection at all. The appeals for increased ratings of left inguinal hernia and scar associated with left inguinal hernia repair are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional relevant VA treatment records should be obtained and considered as part of the remand process. The Veteran is advised to provide any private or federal medical records in their possession.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected conditions, and the cause of death (end stage renal disease) is not related to his service. The criteria for DIC benefits were not met.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the nature and extent of any respiratory disability, as well as to continue the process for rating his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound in the left chest and scars on the left chest.

The Veteran's midline abdominal surgical scar is granted a 10% evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including right knee disability, left knee injury, arthritis, chest scar, blurred vision, high blood pressure, and shoulder injuries. The decision does not address dental scars or provide a rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating higher than 20 percent for right arm/shoulder disability, and a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for left eye chorioretinal scar, effective from the date of severance (December 1, 2019), as the original decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable ratings for colon cancer and basal cell carcinoma have been denied.,The Veteran's residual scar of the face associated with service-connected basal cell carcinoma has also been denied.

The Veteran's abdominal scar is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that this rating is not appropriate. The hiatal hernia with duodenitis claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate her previously denied claims for service connection for rectus diastasis sacroiliitis, back disorder (lumbar strain), neck disorder, skin disorder, hypertension, residuals of a miscarriage, and bilateral pronation syndrome.