Scars Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, status post right eyebrow laceration scar, headaches, and left ankle deltoid ligament sprain. The Veteran's mental health issues were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 1, 2018, based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities. The initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral sciatic nerve impairments and mid-thoracic scar status post lipoma excision were denied as service connection was not established due to failure to report for VA examinations, lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or toxic exposures, and no positive nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU effective August 29, 2020.

The appeal for a higher rating for radiculopathy left lower extremity and right lower extremity is dismissed.,The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as already pending in the legacy system.,The appeal for TDIU prior to April 4, 2018, is dismissed as already pending in the legacy system.,The claim for a compensable rating for a scar on the back is dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 15, 2013 for the Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits claims based on continuous pursuit of his claim since May 15, 2013. The effective dates are fixed in accordance with the facts found.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful right knee scars was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate four or more painful scars, each associated with underlying soft tissue damage in an area of at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.).,PTSD ratings were also remanded due to insufficient evidence showing impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 21, 2020 for a 20% evaluation of his right knee painful surgical scars. The evidence did not show worsening within one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted, with a 100% rating for CAD from March 3, 2023 to June 30, 2023, and a 60% rating thereafter. Separate ratings were also assigned for chest scars status post CABG.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right shoulder, and lower extremity olecranon scar disabilities were denied in a March 2018 rating decision. The claim to reopen these previously disallowed conditions was not filed within the required time frame.,The Veteran's claim for left elbow conditions, including left elbow dislocation, olecranon bursitis, triceps tendonitis, and ulnar collateral ligament posterior band sprain, was denied in a February 2020 SOC. The claim to reopen this condition was not filed within the required time frame.

The appeal for service connection for penile scars is dismissed. The cervical spine condition claim is remanded.

The Veteran's forehead scars are currently rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7800.,Prior to May 19, 2024, the Veteran's gastritis with dyspepsia was rated at 10 percent. Beginning May 19, 2024, it is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in, at minimum, the effective loss of use of one foot. The criteria for establishing eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment have been met.

The Veteran's right finger scar is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher, effective from May 12, 2023. The Board found the scar painful and assigned a 10 percent rating under DC 7804.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to procedural errors. The Board will need to gather the Veteran's complete occupational history and income information from each year on appeal.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, voiding dysfunction, and sarcoid type granuloma of the right upper lip are granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder condition are denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The appeal for left elbow laceration scar is dismissed. The appeals for allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hammer toes, and bilateral pes planus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left anterior medial knee scar, left knee limitation of flexion, left knee patellar instability, and left knee removal of semilunar cartilage are all rated at the minimum 10 percent level due to painful motion. GERD is not manifested by a documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic. The Veteran's radiculopathies are both rated at the maximum 20 percent level.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of April 1, 2020. She is granted a TDIU effective from that date.,Effective April 1, 2020, the Veteran also received SMC at the 's' rate due to having one service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently rated at least 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle ankylosis and knee replacements, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 30, 2024. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.