Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his non-linear scar on nose, both painful and nonpainful.

The Board denied an effective date prior to August 10, 2023, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a neck scar, post-surgical resection of basal cell carcinoma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing grant as he does not have a permanent and total disability due to disorders that involve both lower extremities affecting balance or propulsion, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's low back, left hip, and sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies disabilities, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection. However, a TDIU was granted from August 2, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development of evidence, including obtaining additional VA medical records and private treatment records.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied other claims, including increased ratings for prostate cancer status post prostatectomy with urinary frequency and incontinence, hypertension, robotic prostatectomy with surgical scars, earlier effective dates for service connection, and remanded claims for service connection of migraines and GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus, as it is already rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowed. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board granted an effective date of October 12, 1977, for the award of service connection for lower abdomen scar.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and benefits related to a left hip disorder, special monthly compensation, DEA benefits, and an initial rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension, epigastric hernia, and epigastric hernia repair scar.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, right ear hearing loss, and hip disorders, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) with residual scarring as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition affected at least 5% of his body or exposed areas, and no more than topical therapy was required.

The Board denied initial compensable disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left upper chest scarring with keloid formation status-post pacemaker placement, right knee surgical scar status post total knee arthroplasty (TKA), surgical abdominal scar, and gunshot wound scar to the left leg and thigh. The appeal seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, a left shoulder condition, and a neck condition, as well as an earlier effective date claim regarding PTSD. The claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and shin splints were denied, while other claims were remanded.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a scar, status-post laminectomy, and denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities prior to January 4, 2022. However, it granted a 20% evaluation from that date for both conditions.

The Board denied the appeal regarding the reduction of the Veteran's rating for painful scars from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective August 20, 2022 under DC 7804.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a torn deltoid muscle of the left arm and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the period prior to June 16, 2008.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a right shin scar, dismissed the claim for a right foot condition, denied the claim for a right shoulder condition, and remanded claims for back, bilateral hearing loss, stomach problems, sleep apnea, right leg pain, and left knee conditions.

The appeal for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia disorder was dismissed, and the Board granted an initial disability evaluation of 20 percent for the right foot disability.

The Board remands the claim for an eye disorder, including retinitis and corneal scars, to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition in relation to service, including exposure to burn pits.