Scars decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, abdominal scar, low back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been granted increased ratings. TDIU entitlement has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The rating for total right knee replacement was maintained at 60 percent since October 5, 2016. An earlier effective date of March 23, 2012, for TDIU benefits was granted. The earlier effective date of May 21, 2016, for DEA benefits was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral elbow disabilities due to new evidence presented at his hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected iritis of the right eye, chorioretinal scar of the right eye, and angle closure glaucoma, to include bilateral dry eye syndrome. The case is also remanded for further development regarding a compensable rating prior to February 21, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for iritis of the right eye, chorioretinal scar of the right eye, angle closure glaucoma, to include bilateral dry eye syndrome, bilateral epiretinal membrane, and bilateral pseudophakia.

The Veteran's low back scar, which is painful, has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and assistance or render him housebound.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to errors in the initial rating decision and subsequent responses from the RO. The issues are now pending with the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to her lack of blindness, loss or use of both hands, severe burn injury, and an inhalation injury resulting in total disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hernia and painful scars as secondary to a hernia or residuals of a hernia or hernia repair due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms since service are not adequately addressed in the current opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment effective April 22, 2023.

The Board's January 4, 2024 decision did not address the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 9, 2017 through January 21, 2021. The case is now remanded to consider this issue.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted under the PACT Act, and his ratings for peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities and vein stripping vertical scar associated with CAD are restored to their current levels.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ring finger with suture scar, bilateral upper extremity disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome, RUE radiculopathy, and tendinitis), and right knee disability as secondary to service-connected left knee disability. The claims are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left little finger fracture residuals and scar. The appeals are pending until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's cervical spine, thoracic and lumbar spine, migraine headaches associated with TBI, and C-section scar disabilities have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 50% rating for migraines associated with TBI, but the C-section scar remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates was denied. The issues of service connection for TBI, migraine headaches, and right foot hallux valgus with foot injury status post fusion surgery were all denied as the Veteran did not file a claim prior to January 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, a traumatic brain injury, and scars from a skull laceration and under the right eye.