Scars Board decisions

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, granted TDIU from January 8, 2020 to June 19, 2022, and granted DEA benefits effective the same date.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for service-connected painful scars from a gastritis surgery, finding that the Veteran has five painful scars during the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 10, 2022, for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ and for an award of service connection for neoplasms of the male reproductive system, erectile dysfunction, and for an abdomen scar, post-prostatectomy.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for erectile dysfunction, right inguinal hernia, and scar -anterior trunk, abdomen (s/p right inguinal hernia repair), but granted a 10 percent rating for paresthesia -inferior maxillary fifth cranial nerve (now claimed as bruxism).

The Board granted service connection for residuals of melanoma of the left upper back and denied initial compensable ratings for a left upper back scar and a nose scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and a rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected right hip replacement with degenerative arthritis. The claim for a compensable rating for scar, status post right hip replacement was withdrawn.

The Veteran was granted a rating of 10 percent for scars associated with the left great toe, but no more, for the entire appeal period beginning October 30, 2012.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) and denied compensable ratings for chest scars, leg scars, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy secondary to CAD.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings to ensure compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining new examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded additional service connection claims due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for the service-connected traumatic hallux valgus of the left foot status post failed corrective surgery and bunionectomy with scar, as the maximum rating allowed was already assigned.

The Board denied the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for facial scars prior to April 29, 2022, and a separate compensable disability rating for scar disfigurement prior to April 29, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, as the earliest possible date under applicable law is October 24, 2019.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches, scarring on the head, left ankle strain, PTSD with TBI, and other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating and earlier effective date for a posterior trunk surgical scar due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board granted a rating of 60 percent for left total knee replacement (TKR) from August 1, 2023, but denied an initial compensable rating for the surgical scars associated with the TKR.

The Board granted an effective date of August 15, 2011, for the award of service connection for peritoneal adhesions and associated scar of the mid-abdomen but denied earlier effective dates for a seizure disorder and DEA benefits. A rating of 30 percent was also granted for peritoneal adhesions.

The Board granted an effective date of March 17, 2020 for service connection and initial disability ratings for left hip strain, but denied earlier effective dates and a TDIU.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased rating for the unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a skin disorder, to include pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and/or residual scarring/disfigurement, as further development is necessary.