Scars — all decisions

The Board granted an effective date of October 1, 2022 for the award of service connection for right pes planus and right foot scars.

The Board granted the restoration of a 10 percent rating for sclerotic radial head, right elbow effective June 1, 2022, and denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and scars.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right eye conditions due to a lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand.

The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 20 percent for left elbow flexion prior to June 25, 2024 and a 10 percent rating for right elbow flexion prior to the same date.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of March 29, 2016, for the grants of service connection for multiple conditions including hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, scars, kidney disease, femoral artery occlusion, lacunar stroke, erectile dysfunction, cerebral vascular disease, and valvular heart disease.

The Board granted service connection for voiding dysfunction and prostate cancer residuals status post prostatectomy with an effective date of August 4, 2020, but denied the same for ethmoidal sinusitis. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a headache disability were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity, as there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities caused effective function remaining other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation with a prosthetic appliance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left and right lower extremity dermatitis scars based on the size of the scarring, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of June 3, 2020, for the grants of service connection for breast carcinoma status post bilateral mastectomy with lymphedema, mastectomy scars, and special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of the breast.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, chronic cough syndrome, left and right ankle disabilities, right shoulder disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, earlier effective dates for PTSD and non-painful right index finger scar, and a higher rating for painful right index finger scar. However, the Veteran was granted an initial 50 percent rating for service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted effective dates of August 4, 2021, for several conditions and denied or remanded claims related to other issues.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, except for the grant of an earlier effective date for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, while granting a 30% rating for herpes simplex labialis and service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability.

The appeal for a higher (compensable) disability rating for anterior trunk surgical scars was dismissed due to the July 2025 rating decision merely implementing the Board's previous decision, which is not appealable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for Lisfranc's joint disruption of the left foot with surgical scar, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for COPD and a compensable disability rating for bilateral inguinal hernia surgical scars.

The Board granted an effective date of April 30, 2020, for the award of service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied increased ratings for left foot cuneiform fracture, left lower extremity anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve impairment, and facial scars.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and denied increased ratings for various conditions, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for a pilonidal cyst scar from March 7, 2024 and granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a scar on the right big toe region and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including right hip strain and right knee osteoarthritis. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.