Scars Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, prostate cancer, hypertension, a cardiac disability, pubis scar as secondary to prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, as were the claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus effective August 7, 2018, and denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, breast hypertrophy, Raynaud's syndrome, and scar from inguinal hernia repair.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including trauma- and stressor-related disorder, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, knee disabilities, and scars.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left renal calculi and chronic kidney disease, scar, status post-excision left brachial cleft cyst, transient motion sickness, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for CAD, type II diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer, as well as initial ratings for CAD, linear left upper chest scar, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD from August 4, 2021, and denied increased ratings or service connection for corneal scarring of the right eye, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent right and left eye disabilities, right and left foot disabilities (pes planus), heart disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, kidney disability related to Camp Lejeune exposure, and lower extremity disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and granted a 30 percent rating, but not higher, for GERD. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis and 10 percent for a painful residual scar on the dorsal surface of the left foot, status post bone removal.

The appeal for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for basal cell carcinoma of the forehead and squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp, entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scar, basal cell carcinoma of the forehead, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance/housebound was dismissed. However, the Veteran's right upper extremity and upper back scars were granted a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain (claimed as cervicothoracic spine pain), and a right forearm scar. The claims for posttraumatic residual pain and dysfunction of the knees, an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and chronic headaches were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied, but he was granted individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted an initial rating of 90 percent, but no higher, for left and right total hip replacements.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for basal cell carcinoma and granted a separate 10 percent rating for a painful scar.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, and MDD. The claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever were readjudicated based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 21, 2018, as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal was granted for readjudicating the claim of entitlement to service connection for lethargy, and denied for earlier effective dates for depression with anxious distress and migraine headaches. The claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and others, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.