Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chest scar, which resulted from a burn injury during her INACDUTRA period in November 2020, is service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability was also denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a postoperative back scar related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, and he receives a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee scar. His other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 27, 2024, for horizontal neck scar, residuals of thyroidectomy and a compensable rating for thyroid enlargement, non-toxic thyroidectomy (previously rated as hypothyroidism).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with right great toe hallux limitus; bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy; obstructive sleep apnea; cervical degenerative arthritis, disc disease, spinal stenosis, and C4-C7 fusion; left shoulder strain; lumbar degenerative disc disease; right shoulder strain; right knee tendonitis; left knee tendonitis; painful right neck scar; tinnitus; right lower extremity polyneuropathy; and left lower extremity polyneuropathy render him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a single 10 percent disability rating for painful scars on the left great toe and right scrotum, effective May 1, 2020. The appellant's service-connected scars are rated under DC 7804 due to their pain.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating decisions from February 2017, May 2019, and November 2019 due to untimely Notice of Disagreement filings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful left lower extremity scar, and a compensable rating for left second toe partial amputation residuals due to incomplete evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee scar, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his scar, left hand is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's arthritis of bilateral hands requires further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for burn scars of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left hip disability, as well as his claim for specially adapted housing, are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The appeal for right knee surgical scars is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings of the hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder, and bottom lip scar.

The Board has determined that the August 2023 rating decision granting a TDIU was not an initial decision, making the appellant eligible for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings for knee strains, ankle sprains, and shoulder conditions remain unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for chest scars, finding no evidence linking the current scars to service. The Veteran's lay statements about onset and causation were not credible.

The Board denied service connection for chest scars, finding no evidence linking the current scars to service. The Veteran's lay statements about onset and causation were not credible.

The Board found that the appellant is eligible to receive fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of the June 2024 rating decision granting higher ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy. The appeal was denied regarding eligibility for fees related to a chest scar rating.