Scars Board decisions

The Board granted an effective date of July 31, 2020, for the award of service connection for anterior trunk scar and an initial 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, with the exception of a 10 percent rating for right Achilles tendon rupture.

The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches effective October 16, 2023, and service connection for adjustment disorder. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 12, 2021, for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and alcohol use disorder, but denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from June 20, 2023, for these conditions. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for service connection for superficial pustular cystic acne and acne scarring.

The Board granted an effective date of January 29, 2019, for the award of service connection for scar of the left lower quadrant of abdomen and a 70 percent rating for PTSD since August 28, 2019. The claims for increased ratings were denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU was denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for dry eye syndrome, facial scarring, GERD, and entitlement to individual unemployability.

The Board granted an effective date of July 26, 2023, for service connection for disfigurement and painful scar related to the Veteran's carotid artery surgery.

The Board granted ratings for hypothyroidism, PTSD, right total hip replacement, and migraine headaches, while denying higher ratings or additional compensation for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle tendonitis, a rating greater than 10 percent for cystic acne, an initial compensable rating for scars associated with cystic acne, and various other conditions. The claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for chronic bronchitis, status post-surgical scar, left lateral chest wall, and status post closed fracture of the right little finger. The claim for a 10 percent rating based upon multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to July 22, 2024, was remanded.

The Board granted a 60 percent initial disability rating for left knee arthrosis status post left knee replacement and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee condition and initial ratings for side of left big toe scar, residual of bunionectomy.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right hip, varicose veins of the right leg, and hepatitis C, as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1318, as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's service or any service-connected disability to his cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a compensable rating under DC 7802, and a higher initial rating under DC 7804 for her scar status post excision right breast and right axillary lymph node for fibrocystic disease.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities that interfere with normal employability, and remanded the matter of a compensable rating for colon cancer, status post resection.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right-hand scars and remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical condition and right upper extremity radiculopathy.