Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 31, 2022.,The Veteran's scars are currently rated at 20 percent disabling, also effective August 31, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed caudal septal furuncle. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination and additional analysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause significant impairment in finding and maintaining gainful employment, but he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by his job as a welder with reasonable accommodations. The Board finds that he is not employed in a protected environment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) and special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing that he needed such assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 22, 2002 for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was unemployable prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his requests.

The Veteran's claims for TBI, bilateral hearing loss, tension headaches, and a scar of the occipital head were denied effective prior to March 9, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of March 9, 2021.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable disability rating for a left hip scar status-post total hip replacement is granted, with a compensable rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent for painful right knee scar, right knee instability, and limitation of flexion. The appeal for a compensable rating for limitation of extension is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and a rating for his knee conditions, as well as the compensable disability rating for his scar condition, have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's skin cancer and associated scars are not rated higher than noncompensable.,The Veteran's left adrenal gland adenoma, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction do not have a service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service or evidence of a nexus with service.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder single episode unspecified and anxiety disorder unspecified) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestos is denied. The rating for migraines has been increased to 50 percent, effective August 11, 2025. A compensable rating for the scar of the left eyebrow and a rating greater than 10 percent for the painful scar from September 13, 2022 to October 1, 2023 have been granted.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of hammer toes in the left foot, a scar in the left foot, and a right hip impairment of the thigh are not earlier than March 24, 2022.,Service connection for a scar in the right ankle is granted with an effective date of May 16, 2012.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, post-traumatic headaches, scars, and dizziness as secondary to TBI.,The appellant's disabilities were granted service connection as secondary to his TBI. The Board found no prior claims or communications that could serve as the basis for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's lower abdominal transverse surgical scar is granted a 10 percent rating. The proposed reductions of the ratings for removal of left and right fallopian tubes due to tubal pregnancy are dismissed as they were only proposed actions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer, thyroid disease, and scar status post thyroidectomy is dismissed as the claims are moot due to a grant of service connection for neoplasms of the male reproductive system including prostate cancer.

The Veteran's right ankle painful scars were improperly reduced from 40% to 30%, and the rating is now reinstated at 40%. The TDIU claim is moot as of January 12, 2022. A new increased rating for right ankle fracture residuals was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for entitlement to initial compensable disability evaluations for malignant squamous cell cancer in remission and a scar of the upper abdomen due to VA's failure to obtain relevant treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide assistance in obtaining these records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle disability, and right ankle scars, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to a concurrent election of review options.