Scars Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a facial scar as a residual of a head injury with facial lacerations and an initial 30 percent rating, but no higher, for Crohn's disease. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and hypertension, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, hypertension, inguinal hernia status post repair, and surgical scar of the inguinal crease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected renal cell carcinoma and lower abdomen scar, as well as a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple noncompensable disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for scarlet fever and a heart disability based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for scarlet and/or rheumatic fever and a heart disability.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in disability rating for the service-connected posterior right hip painful scar, status post right total hip joint replacement, from 10 percent to 0 percent is dismissed because it was not a final decision.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including respiratory issues and diabetes mellitus, due to a duty-to-assist error involving the development of evidence related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance from another person.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date than January 2, 2024, for the award of entitlement to service connection for a scar of the left third finger.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar(s) of the neck. The rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for a comprehensive examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral upper extremity neurological disabilities and left elbow scar.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for both his neck surgical scar and psoriasis, as neither condition met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board granted increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and restored a 10 percent rating for a painful scar. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent evaluation for TBI with BPPV and memory loss effective from April 9, 2021, to June 22, 2021, and Chapter 35 DEA benefits for the same period. The grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied an earlier effective date.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back condition and granted a 10 percent rating for residuals of pilonidal cyst removal, to include scar.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left-hand condition, dorsal and palm scars, and nerve damage on the finger of the left hand due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and TDIU, finding that April 16, 2021 was the earliest possible date based on the receipt of a complete supplemental claim.

The Board remands the claim for a compensable rating for service-connected right upper extremity scars due to unclear evidence regarding the number and pain of the Veteran's scars.

The Veteran withdrew the entire appeal, and all issues were dismissed.