Scars Board decisions

The Veteran was granted an effective date of February 26, 2013 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 11, 2013 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI residuals, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and scars of the bilateral knees, left calf (other impairment).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded it due to need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for hypertrophic scar on the right shoulder is granted.

The Veteran's pilonidal cyst status post excision and scar are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent surgery requiring multiple procedures and ongoing pain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar scars has been remanded due to the need for additional examination to assess the severity of these conditions. The initial compensable rating for the lumbar scar condition is granted, but the issue of a higher rating for IVDS remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hallux valgus, depression and anxiety, a bilateral eye condition, a tracheotomy scar, a neck condition, and costochondritis has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,Service connection is being considered on the merits for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for breast cancer with double mastectomy, heart disability secondary to breast cancer, tachycardia, left ventricular dysfunction secondary to breast cancer, surgical scarring (residual of breast cancer), lymph node removal (residual of breast cancer), loss of sensation on the right side (residual of breast cancer), and hysterectomy. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Board also denied service connection for stroke, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has found that remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition, hypertension, colon cancer, and scar tissue surgery. The AOJ must determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents or toxic chemicals during service and obtain new medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee scar is granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for his left inguinal hernia repair scar is granted. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The appeal was dismissed for an earlier effective date claim regarding SMC benefits prior to February 28, 2018.

The Veteran's right shoulder scar was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not result in underlying soft tissue damage, covered an area of 929 square centimeters or greater, was unstable or painful, or resulted in any disabling effects.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted as of March 12, 2018. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension was March 11, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial ratings for a heart disorder and scar has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's kidney stones and scarring from the condition were found to have manifested within one year of her service discharge, warranting presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial ratings for a heart disorder and scar has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for increased ratings related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and scar secondary to the condition. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, diabetes, or painful scars of the upper extremities is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected erythema nodosum, including scarring, is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the extent of his scars and further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, diabetes, basal cell carcinoma of the left cheek, and a right ear hearing loss disability as secondary to service-connected conditions. Service connection was denied for residuals of a left submandibular abscess.