Scars Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion and forehead scar. The claims are denied as there is no current disability related to these conditions.,The Veteran's cardiovascular disability claim was dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his adjustment disorder and scarring of the head and neck due to acne and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 30, 2012. Effective May 21, 2020, he was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 10, 2020 for service connection of left arm neuropathy with bicep atrophy and increased rating for left elbow small chip fracture with debridement of multiple fragment wounds were denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a right knee disability was remanded. The claims for an earlier effective date for 20% ratings for painful scars on the left elbow, right knee, and lower lip were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 2, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, a back condition, hair loss, a right wrist condition, scars, tinnitus, kidney problems, erectile dysfunction, and left knee condition have been dismissed as the Veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disability, including his exposure to herbicides while serving in Korea. The AOJ is required to obtain University of Michigan medical records and prepare an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record for the Veteran.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement with left knee arthritis and scar, status post left knee arthroscopy, are granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective February 28, 2025.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for residuals of right thumb amputation and related scar, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a severance decision.

The Veteran's dizziness is granted as due to an undiagnosed illness, while his left ankle condition and skin condition are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee scars have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension and left wrist scar were evaluated, with the hypertension receiving a 10% evaluation prior to February 4, 2026, and denied for higher ratings thereafter. The left wrist scar received a non-compensable (0%) evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable initial rating for her breast conditions, finding that there is no new and relevant evidence to support readjudication of these claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left breast scars, hyperlipidemia/high cholesterol, bilateral hip disorders, and left ankle disorder.

The Board has granted the Appellant's request to have his military service characterized as honorable, and has also granted service connection for various conditions including unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, scars of the left second finger and thumb, thoracolumbar spine strain, bilateral knee strains, and a right foot disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, qualifying for SMC based on A&A. His loss of use of his right hand and foot due to stroke residuals also qualifies him for an allowance for automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions in April 2024 and March 2025, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to procedural errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.