Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, as the claims were not timely filed or the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (m) level based on loss of use of both hands, legs, and for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected scar disabilities.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 30, 2023 for the increased rating of allergic rhinitis and denied it for the skin disability and facial scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings for various service-connected conditions, including PTSD, posttraumatic headaches, painful scars of the posterior skull, and scars of the posterior skull.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on an aggravation basis and denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's pilonidal cyst scar.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 10, 2022 and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for scar, dorsal aspect of right hand, a compensable rating for residuals of laceration of the right hand, and service connection for limited range of motion of the right hand to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims on appeal due to missing service treatment records that were later located.

The Board denied all initial disability ratings for the veteran's low back, left foot, left little finger, right wrist, tinnitus, and scars disabilities, except for a separate 10 percent evaluation for a painful scar of the back.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the ratings and service connection of various conditions, granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for the service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a compensable rating for the post-surgical scar on the right great toe.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective dates as they were improperly filed under the new Direct Review docket system.

The decision granted earlier effective dates for DEA benefits, TDIU, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ from August 1, 2018, but denied increased ratings for PTSD, ED, left knee degenerative arthritis with synovitis and chondromalacia, and other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a left eyelid laceration scar, finding that his service-connected condition does not result in any disfigurement or visual impairment.

The Board remands the claims for basal cell carcinoma and scarring as secondary to it for further development, specifically directing a new medical opinion on whether the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is related to his in-service exposure to UV radiation.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder was granted a 100 percent disability rating, while the claims for compensable ratings for scars and effective dates for TDIU, DEA, and SMC were denied.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from July 30, 2014, but no earlier.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the service connection of a postoperative residual painful scar, right hypothenar laceration and remanded claims for service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's right eyebrow and left hand scars are related to his in-service fall.