Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thyroid lobectomy, scar from thyroidectomy, and scar from left inguinal hernia repair.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted service connection for a few others, including tinea pedis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (secondary), right knee disability (secondary), and right ankle disability (secondary).

The Board granted earlier effective dates of March 27, 2020, for TDIU and DEA benefits but denied higher disability ratings for breast cancer residuals, breast scars, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for lung nodules and scarring, as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his active duty service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 100 percent, while other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, insomnia with anxiety and depression, bronchitis with chronic cough, residuals scarring right forearm/elbow with pain, and fatigue due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right inguinal hernia and granted a separate 10 percent rating for a painful scar, status post right inguinal hernia repair from December 12, 2018. The tinnitus claim was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and peripheral neuropathy in all extremities, were granted with specific ratings. TDIU was also granted effective January 28, 2019.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for lung cancer and lobectomy scars, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for lobectomy scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, as well as an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because she did not have an employment handicap and was able to obtain suitable employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board granted a separate evaluation of 20 percent for plantar fasciitis of the right foot associated with a shrapnel wound, denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a right foot shrapnel wound based on paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve, and denied a compensable evaluation from June 4, 2019 for a right foot shrapnel wound scar.

The Board remands the claims for an additional attempt to obtain the appellant's correctional facility medical records.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae but granted a 10 percent disability rating for painful scars.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability, tinnitus, and increased ratings for major depressive disorder, basal cell carcinoma residuals, and forehead scar.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial rating due to a duty to assist error regarding notice of the right to a hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as the proposed rating reductions, were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded a TDIU, while denying increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, benign prostate hypertrophy, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, scars, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied a higher rating for high blood pressure and a compensable disability rating for a chest surgical scar. The issue of service connection for chronic kidney failure with dialysis was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for OSA, unspecified anxiety condition, left hip strain, scar due to lymph node removal, and painful lymphadenectomy scar. Some claims were remanded for further development.