Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability and a bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate VA examinations, failure to obtain private treatment records, and insufficient reasons and bases in the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD with sinus bradycardia are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings. The rating for scars on the right foot is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and scar, right upper chest was denied. The effective date of the award of service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was denied as it is not earlier than March 14, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney transplant/removal and scaring, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial rating more than 10 percent for right foot/ankle Achilles tendon rupture and an initial compensable rating for scar, surgical repair of right Achilles tendon.

The Veteran's left elbow skin graft scar was awarded an effective date of January 1, 1969. The right hip chondrocalcinosis (impaired extension) and bilateral hearing loss ratings were denied earlier than March 3, 2022. The PTSD rating remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of his right little finger and an initial compensable rating for his scar on his right little finger. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

An effective date of August 12, 2013, and no earlier, for the grant of service connection for scar residuals associated with a left foot amputation is granted.,An effective date of August 12, 2013, and no earlier, for the grant of service connection for a painful scar associated with a left foot amputation is granted.,A compensable rating for scar residuals associated with a left foot amputation is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar associated with a left foot amputation is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to June 30, 2022. A private psychiatric evaluation in June 2022 showed the Veteran met criteria for a 100% rating for PTSD as of that date. The effective date is set at June 30, 2022.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective March 21, 2017. The claim of a higher rating for residuals of pilon fracture of the right tibia with arthritis and scar on the right iliac crest donor site is remanded.

The Veteran's left femur disability, including associated knee issues, was granted a 30 percent rating effective prior to May 8, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The initial compensable and excess-of-rating claims for residual surgical scar and painful scar are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address relevant evidence of scarring. The Veteran's left eye ptosis and/or scarring are being examined again to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case to submit it for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as the schedular percentage threshold criteria are not met but there is evidence of unemployability.

The Veteran's aortic valve replacement with scar is granted at a 60 percent disability rating prior to August 27, 2019. TDIU and DEA are also granted from this date.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to the lack of a denial letter in the claims file and failure to meet the criteria outlined in 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left forearm scar, finding that it is etiologically related to his in-service injury and accepting his lay statements as sufficient proof of the incurrence of an injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral varicose veins with loss of use of both feet and right distal medial lower leg scar, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, bathe, prepare meals, manage medication, and attend to the wants of nature. The Board has granted SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits were reduced due to his felony incarceration, which was proper as he was incarcerated for more than 61 days and received his first payment on October 1, 2018.