Scars Board decisions

The Board granted earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation, but denied an earlier effective date for prostatectomy residual scars. The reduction in the rating from 100 percent to 20 percent for prostate cancer residuals was upheld.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for various disabilities including back, lower extremity radiculopathy, knee, facial scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and erectile dysfunction.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board granted an increased 30 percent rating for tension migraine from February 6, 2024, to March 13, 2024, and a 50 percent rating for sleep apnea. It denied all other claims.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia, tension headaches, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and denied increased ratings for right elbow flexion, supination and pronation, extension, and scars. The Board also remanded claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for left eye chorioretinal scars and photophobia with visual field defect secondary to toxoplasmosis from February 13, 2013 to May 20, 2014 and from May 21, 2014 respectively.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, circumcision scar, urinary tract condition (including residuals of gonorrhea, recurrent urinary tract infections, and BPH), degenerative disc disease, and left leg condition (including radiculopathy). The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the case for corrective action regarding a pre-decisional duty to assist error in providing notice of the right to a hearing prior to issuance of the AOJ's initial decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as the weight of the evidence did not support that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected anterior trunk scars was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, as well as initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for a scar under the right eye, an initial compensable rating for disfigurement due to a scar under the right eye, and an initial compensable rating for a left upper back scar.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left knee scars, status-post total arthroplasty and residual scars status-post meniscectomy due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition but denied service connection for cystic acne to the back, face and neck, to include acne scars of the face, neck and upper back.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to afford the Veteran a VA examination.

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

The Board granted a 60 percent evaluation for gastrointestinal conditions, but denied higher ratings and earlier effective dates.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for a facial scar and a separate 10 percent rating for pain, but dismissed appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and back disability due to untimely notices of disagreement. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and headaches were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's awards of service connection and denied increased ratings, except for a 20% rating from October 19, 2020 to October 1, 2021 for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of burn scars to fingers due to a need to verify the Veteran's service period during which the injury may have occurred.