Scars Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus. Other conditions were granted as complications of the diabetes.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, right thumb disability, and right thumb scar but granted a 10% rating for the painful right thumb scar. The claims for increased initial ratings for bilateral wrist DeQuervain's syndrome and tendinitis were remanded.

The Board remands the matter to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected corneal scarring, left eye.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for left inguinal hernia and an initial compensable rating for the scar of the left inguinal hernia, as there was no evidence of recurrent hernia or a painful, unstable, or large scar.

The Board denied service connection for plantar fasciitis, a headache disorder, and a scar status post circumcision as there was no competent evidence to support the claims. The Board also denied a higher rating for the Veteran's back disability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of December 21, 2022, for the grants of service connection for adjustment disorder, arteriosclerotic heart disease, scars of the anterior trunk, scars of the left lower extremity, and hypertension (HTN).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left lower groin scar resulting from a transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted some separate evaluations, while remanding others.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for laryngeal cancer and neck scar disabilities, as the earliest permissible effective date is August 10, 2022, due to the PACT Act.

The Board granted service connection for left and right long finger strains, a right ankle strain, and GERD with hiatal hernia. The appeal seeking increased ratings for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, allergic rhinitis, and scars was dismissed due to severance of service connection.

The Board remands the matters for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.

The Board remands the claims for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected prostatitis with urethral scarring.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, sleep disability, and heart murmur, bypass surgery and residuals. The claims for left knee, seizure, head injury, scar on the left cheek, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities were remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the notice of disagreement submitted by the Veteran.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities but denied earlier effective dates and a compensable rating for the posterior trunk scar.

The Board denied service connection for hysterectomy, right side salpingectomy, and uterine fibroids as well as a compensable rating for residuals of left ovarian cyst and suprapubic abdominal scar due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development of evidence, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for depression (psychiatric disorder) and remanded the claim for a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment from April 4, 2022, to April 22, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him disabled to the extent that he requires regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.