Scars Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for residuals of inguinal hernia repair and increased ratings for post-herpetic neuralgia (residual of herpes zoster) and herpes zoster scars, finding the evidence did not support a grant of benefits.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of informed consent forms for the hernia repair procedures. The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's right eyebrow scar was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it did not exhibit at least one characteristic of disfigurement.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, skin condition (rosacea), autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, residuals of liver transplant, and hepatic encephalitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claim for increased rating for postoperative left tibial plateau fracture with a meniscal tear is denied, but the issue of service connection for this condition will be remanded. The claim for increased rating for left knee surgical scar is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for her scar above the left eyebrow prior to February 22, 2018 was denied.,A 30 percent disability rating has been granted for the scar above the left eyebrow from February 22, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of fractured left tibia was denied, and his TDIU prior to December 3, 2013, was also denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for consideration of TDIU since August 11, 2010.

The Veteran's right upper quadrant scar, which is painful and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage, has been granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and a scalp scar. The appeal regarding service connection for atrial fibrillation (claimed as ischemic heart disease) and skin cancer is remanded.

Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran elected Higher-Level Review, which is not within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a scar on the bridge of the nose and an initial disability rating of 10 percent for his right knee disability, but denied service connection for an eye disability to include due to sun damage.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided in prior decisions.,Specifically, the Board found that the VA examinations did not provide sufficient rationale for their negative nexus opinions and required additional examination with an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since November 2, 2009. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for scarring of the right first toe and onychomycosis of the bilateral toes, but denied service connection for scarring of the left toes and a mass on the left thigh. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected hernia disability and associated scar, as well as his requests for service connection for respiratory and heart disorders. The Board also found that a separate rating for his surgical scar of the abdomen was proper and that he did not meet criteria for a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence showing that his PTSD or any other service-connected condition caused, contributed substantially or materially to, or accelerated his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful scars of the upper extremities was granted. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease and shoulder arthritis were denied, as were the initial compensable ratings for PTSD. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected PTSD was granted.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scarring for a crush injury of the index, middle, and ring fingers of the right hand. The Veteran's laceration scars on the left arm and forearm are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's SFW scar of the left arm as of March 22, 2016. The appeal was denied prior to that date.