Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, left knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the hands, right foot gouty arthritis, arthritis of the neck, sinus disability, respiratory disability (asthma and/or shortness of breath), acid reflux, and facial scar. The Board found that none of these claims were supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on the effective date of July 14, 2011. The Board has determined that a retrospective evaluation is needed to assess the severity of his conditions from their initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a restoration of the 10 percent rating for service-connected residuals scars of the right heel from March 1, 2015 is granted. The application to reopen a claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including an aortic aneurysm and associated scars, were granted effective July 7, 2016. The claims for these conditions were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left foot fracture with residual scar need to be re-evaluated due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, while the rating for his burn scars residuals remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right anterior trunk scar, residual of inguinal hernia surgery, is rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar is painful and meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left leg tumor with scar, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an eye condition, to include burns and scarring, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for residuals of shrapnel fragments on the left upper back is granted, with a combined rating of 10 percent for both scars.

The Veteran's service-connected right inguinal hernia, residual scar from the surgery, and pinched nerve in his right lower extremity have been granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent each for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran is denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current hearing loss and military service.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the Veteran's testimony regarding its onset in-service is credible.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on remand include broken right hand, low back disability, left knee injury, TBI with residual effects and cognitive disorder, and a scar. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for disfigurement and pain due to a service-connected neck scar, finding that the preponderance of the evidence was against his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 12, 2017 for the grant of service connection for scars as a residual of status post bilateral herniorrhaphies was denied. The Board found that there is no basis for awarding an earlier effective date and thus denied this claim. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for status post bilateral herniorrhaphies was remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was awarded with a noncompensable disability rating, effective June 2, 1969 (the day after separation from active duty). The award of scarring was not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a dental disability, and a right leg injury residual scar were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service stressors or injuries that could support the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful scar on the right side of the face, effective July 8, 2008. The issue of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is still pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for anal fistula scarring and chest scar pain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.