Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding the reduction of his rating for a painful anterior trunk scar from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective March 1, 2026.

The Veteran's initial claim for a left eye retinal scar (claimed as left eye vision loss) was granted with an initial noncompensable rating. For the period prior to September 11, 2023, she is now receiving a 10 percent rating. The matter of her increased rating since September 11, 2023, remains pending.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date of September 2, 2015 for the award of a 20% disability evaluation for his status-post appendectomy residual painful scars. The Board finds that the most appropriate effective date is September 20, 2018, the date of an examination indicating that the Veteran's scars were both painful and unstable.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for IBS, which was remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding whether his service-connected condition causes or aggravates his IBS.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis was not manifested by a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 80 percent or worse, nor a DLCO (SB) of 80 percent or worse. Therefore, the claim for an increase in disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's neck scar, and a new examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, as it is unclear whether his condition is due to his service-connected Bell's palsy and/or right eyelid scar. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for cholecystectomy, post-appendectomy residuals is granted effective April 1, 2025.,A denial was issued for the Veteran's request to increase his rating for cholecystectomy, post-appendectomy residuals beyond 30 percent.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right ankle lateral scar and has remanded the claim of a higher rating for his service-connected residuals, fracture right medial malleolus and calcaneus.

The Veteran's anterior trunk scars are rated at a separate 10 percent from February 17, 2019. The Board found that the scars meet the criteria for this rating as they are painful and there is no evidence of instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for combined ratings in excess of 70 percent from October 29, 2013, to November 20, 2013, and in excess of 90 percent from February 23, 2016, to March 16, 2020, for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was 100% from February 6, 2006. The Veteran died in February 2020 and had been receiving a total disability rating for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are granted.

The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 12, 2025 rating decision. The appellant's supplemental claim and request for TDIU constituted continuous pursuit of the initial rating decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bottom lip scar is service-connected as it was caused by an injury during active service.

The Veteran's right knee scars are rated at a separate 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804 throughout the entire period on appeal, but no higher. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected right knee scars under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertrophic chin scar and chronic sinusitis, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is not supported by adequate reasoning and must be remanded to allow for a thorough review, including obtaining medical opinions on whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her scars has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased rating for migraine headaches and entitlement to a TDIU due to pending notice of disagreement regarding these issues. The right ankle scarring claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.