Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of limitation to less than 60 degrees of forward flexion or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees. The right hip/femur disabilities were separately rated as 20 and 10 percent.,The Veteran's right knee strain was not evaluated for a higher rating, and the right hip scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to the service-connected conditions listed, including PTSD, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right foot and left foot disabilities, hip limitations, wrist ganglion cyst, scar on the right wrist, allergic rhinitis, sciatic radicular pain of the left lower extremity, shoulder disability, and traumatic brain injury. As a result, all appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted with an effective date of June 4, 2019. The Board found that the effective date should be prior to June 4, 2019, based on the correction of his military records.

The Veteran's bilateral preauricular scars were rated as noncompensable from January 1, 2002, to June 27, 2019. From June 27, 2019, he was granted a separate 10 percent rating for two painful and/or unstable scars. The Board denied the Veteran's claims as there is no evidence of more than one or two painful and/or unstable scars from January 1, 2002, to June 27, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain the Veteran's Social Security Administration records, including all disability determinations and associated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran and because there is no final agency action on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, pelvic bone, head injury, left breast, costochondritis, jawbone, low back, neck, right ankle, right thumb, acne, scarring on the head, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's rating for post-surgical squamous cell carcinoma scars was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective July 30, 2019. The reduction is denied as the evidence showed improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle surgery scar was granted, with a 10 percent rating effective from January 26, 2021.,An earlier effective date of July 24, 2017, for the 10 percent rating for the left ankle surgery scar was also granted.

The Board has granted the application of the bilateral factor to the Veteran's service-connected scars of his upper extremities, as the historical rating criteria in effect on November 19, 1982, allowed for separate evaluations for multiple extremity involvement.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a duty to assist error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar(s) is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Dermatology Center and providing an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's left eye disability, including corneal scarring and a previous corneal abrasion with lensectomy, is being remanded for further evaluation due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a scalp scar associated with the removal of his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma is denied. The effective date is set at December 18, 2023.

The Board has denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee scar, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of instability or pain.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from October 10, 2014. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several issues related to his knee conditions, including painful scars and subluxation/instability. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including scarring (itchy) of the right shoulder, right buttocks, and knee; right shoulder injury; left shoulder injury; left knee condition; left ankle condition; TBI; and vision impairment. These conditions are related to his in-service motorcycle accident in April 2007.

The Veteran's initial rating for mitral valve repair and associated chest scar was denied. The effective date of service connection for the chest scar was not granted prior to August 11, 2017.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the ratings for surgical scars of the right knee and effusion of the right knee. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.