Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle disability, pelvic inflammatory disease, hypertension, and right ankle scars, have caused her to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for left foot post traumatic 3rd phalanx hammertoe s/p arthroplasty and scar, left 3rd toe ventral surface were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his single hammertoe condition or the small size of his scar.

The Veteran's midline low back scar is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are effective from June 30, 2020. The criteria for basic eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits are established from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the claims are being remanded to the AOJ for further review of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical evidence and unanswered questions from previous examinations. The Veteran's PFB, scars of the face and neck, and painful scars of the face and neck are being evaluated again.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 30, 2007, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar scar is denied.,Effective dates earlier than September 25, 2018, for the grants of 10% ratings for partial paresthesia and ganglion cyst are denied.

The Veteran's compensable disability rating for a residual scar, left axilla area is denied due to the scar not being painful or unstable and having an area less than 929 square centimeters.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left upper extremity ulnar and median nerve neuropathy is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's scars from a service-connected right-hand laceration injury are granted a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's residuals of the right hand (major) laceration, peripheral neuropathy median nerve, is denied an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected heart disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 60%, and his service-connected painful anterior trunk scar warrants a compensable (10%) rating. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's earlier effective date claim for a 10% evaluation for service-connected laceration scar of the left hand, finding clear and unmistakable error in the December 1972 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable initial evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for retroactive pay for the period from March 3, 2022, to September 30, 2022 is denied as he has already received the proper disability compensation amounts.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The initial compensable rating claim for left inguinal hernia scar remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection, while his bilateral bunions and depression were denied. His scar #1 and testicle removal were also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scars of the right face and neck. His TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to his receipt of SMC.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left knee scars was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's scar, status post umbilical hernia repair and painful scar, status post umbilical hernia repair are currently rated noncompensably. The Veteran's status post umbilical hernia repair is also rated noncompensably.,The Veteran's chronic left ankle deltoid ligament strain condition remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to an effective date prior to July 6, 2016 for the grant of service connection for status post right inguinal hernia repair and prior to October 16, 2018 for the grant of service connection for painful scar, status post right inguinal hernia repair.,The Board has also determined that the appellant's claims for a compensable disability rating for status post right inguinal hernia repair, a compensable disability rating for scar status post right inguinal hernia repair, and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scar, status post right inguinal hernia repair are remanded. Additionally, the appellant's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, back condition, and abdominal scars have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a disability rating of 100% for his abdominal scars.