Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 17, 2021, for the award of a 10 percent rating for his service-connected back scar is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has already been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent evaluation for painful scars status post bilateral mammoplasty has been granted, effective from the date of receipt of her supplemental claim application on August 24, 2021.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2020 was denied because shoes, which are not classified as articles of clothing by VA, were used due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the use of open-back shoes did not qualify under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.810(a).

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 14, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.,Service connection for left shoulder disability was granted on May 14, 2019 with a rating of 100% from November 2, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful employment for the periods on appeal prior to May 2, 2020, and after June 1, 2020. For the period from March 2, 2020, to June 1, 2020, she was in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating for total left wrist fusion.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and scarring (claimed as secondary to skin disorders). The claim seeking service connection for actinic keratosis is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertrophic scarring as secondary to now service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral toenail fungus, and genital warts or syphilis are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 30, 2020 for service connection and related benefits for various conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy and erectile dysfunction, scars, peripheral neuropathies, and a mid-sternotomy scar. The decision is based on the presumption that these conditions are due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's depressive and anxiety disorders are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's lateral scar of the left knee from meniscus repair was rated as noncompensable on September 26, 2024, due to its small size (16.5 square centimeters).

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 6, 2023 for the initial awards of service connection for right gynecomastia and right sub-total mastectomy, as well as left breast surgical scar.

The Veteran's claims for left hand tremors, right hand tremors, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right shoulder scar, PTSD with TBI, and low back disorder have been granted effective February 12, 2021. Earlier effective dates are not warranted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left lower extremity scar and sleep apnea. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar, residual of a cyst removed from the groin area is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. A 20 percent disability rating, but no higher, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. A 10 percent disability rating, but no higher, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for otitis media of the right ear is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating for chest wall muscle spasm, claimed as costochondritis, is granted with a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle disability remains pending.

A disability rating of 10 percent, but not higher, for service-connected residual scars of the left thumb and right foot has been granted. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded.

The appeal regarding earlier effective dates for IBS and IVDS is dismissed.,The reduction in the rating for painful right toes scars is granted, restoring a 10 percent rating from May 3, 2023.,Increased ratings to 20 percent for lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as of October 21, 2024.,Service connection and increased ratings for left hip conditions, right hip conditions, left knee condition, ED, and depressive disorder are granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, SMC based on regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and scars.