Scars Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for left foot bunionectomy residuals and scars, but denied a higher rating for right foot bunionectomy residuals and chronic sinusitis. The issues of service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral tinnitus, respiratory disability, and enlarged tonsils were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial, gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The veteran's appeal requests were denied as they were not timely filed, and good cause was not shown to extend the time for filing.

The Board denied service connection for scars residual of dog bite right hand, dermatitis, right shoulder and adhesive/latex skin allergy, infertility, residuals of left ovary dermoid cyst surgery with scars, and complete loss of sense of smell (Phantosmia).

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and right shoulder DJD, but denied service connection for a compensable rating for scar, right bunionectomy, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), and right radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and residual scars of the anterior trunk, as well as additional special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted compensation and service connection for various conditions, including those under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for a posterior trunk scar, and initial compensable ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hemorrhoids, and a thoracic spine disorder. Service connection was granted for hypertension, and an initial rating of 30 percent was assigned for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, gastrointestinal issues, foot pain, hand scars, shin splints, migraines, thoracolumbar spine condition, and respiratory condition, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for dry eye syndrome and effective dates prior to August 1, 2024, for the award of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board granted an effective date of March 28, 2023 for the award of a 50 percent rating for chronic headaches and a 10 percent rating for scars of the head, but denied ratings in excess of these amounts. The Board also granted service connection for painful scars of the head with an effective date of March 28, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for a scar resulting from the removal of a cyst on the right upper extremity, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting the claim.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for post-surgical scars and denied increased ratings for acquired psychiatric disorder prior to July 21, 2023. However, the Board granted a later effective date for erectile dysfunction and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety, but dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thumb disorder, a compensable rating for a right thumb scar, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thumb scar, and a left great toe disorder as moot. The claims for service connection for a left hip disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and PTSD were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for abdominal scars and kidney cancer residuals but granted a separate 30 percent rating for the left nephrectomy due to kidney cancer.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disorder, including amblyopia and other conditions, as there was no evidence of aggravation beyond their natural progression during the Veteran's periods of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, a higher evaluation for PTSD, earlier effective dates for hypertension and back disability, dismissed an appeal for an earlier effective date for residual gunshot wound scars, and remanded several other issues.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder, lumbosacral strain, right elbow burn scars, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, low testosterone, and left knee disability. However, service connection was granted for TBI, left forehead scar, and left arm scars.