Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's facial scarring disability is rated at a 30 percent rating since February 12, 2015.,Effective from September 28, 2017, the Veteran has service connection for residuals of basal cell carcinoma (scarring) of the right lower extremity.,Effective from July 6, 2017, the Veteran has service connection for residuals of basal cell carcinoma (scarring) of the left lower extremity.,Effective from March 19, 2014, the Veteran has service connection for residuals of basal cell carcinoma (scarring) of the posterior trunk.,Effective from March 19, 2014, the Veteran has service connection for residuals of basal cell carcinoma (scarring without underlying tissue damage) of the right upper extremity.,Effective from March 12, 2014, the Veteran has service connection for residuals of basal cell carcinoma (scarring without underlying tissue damage) of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a painful scar, status post liver transplant, is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the scar was painful prior to the October 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ear vestibular disorder, disfigurement associated with a right tragus scar, and painful right tragus scar are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding increased ratings for left ear scarring and facial nerve paralysis, as well as the earlier effective date for tinnitus. The Veteran's representative did not wish to opt into the modernized review system (AMA).

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left ear hearing loss, and chronic bronchitis have been dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for a painful scar of the left index finger.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to PTSD alone, effective June 28, 2020.,SMC at the housebound rate was granted as of July 28, 2020, based on his service-connected disabilities combined independently rating at 60 percent or more.,Prior to July 28, 2020, SMC was not warranted due to insufficiently rated service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the reduction of disability ratings for recurrent tinea versicolor and painful bilateral foot scars as they were not appealable decisions.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated as 70 percent disabling since June 16, 2016. The additional disabilities do not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100%.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, excessive weight gain, and neck scar was denied. The claim for service connection for excessive weight gain was also denied as obesity per se is not a disability. The rating for the neck scar remains at noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for various disability ratings as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder surgical scars, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for right hand scar is dismissed as moot. The Board has remanded the claims for arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 31, 2006 for service connection of residual scars of the lower back and cervical spine have been denied.,Initial compensable ratings for service-connected residual scars of the lower back and cervical spine have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all related issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for head trauma with scarring due to his withdrawal request. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as new and relevant evidence has been received.

The Veteran's left knee scar is not rated as painful or unstable, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) is related to service.

The appeals for reductions in ratings for right knee instability and left knee instability are dismissed.,Entitlement to an initial rating of 10% for limitation of extension of the left knee is granted.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10% for the right ankle disability is denied.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10% for the surgical scar of the right knee is denied.

The Veteran is granted an initial separate 10 percent rating for a painful right lower quadrant scar from the date of his claim, effective January 2020.