Scars decisions — 2019

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.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and other conditions. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU since September 27, 2011.,Prior to September 27, 2011, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities may impact his employability and should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's arthritis right index finger and scars are granted with a 10% rating effective March 9, 2011. Service connection for adjustment disorder is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to missing documents in his electronic claims file. The AOJ is required to locate and upload any missing documentation, including a March 2003 rating decision, VA Form 21-4138 received January 28, 2008, claim to reopen filed on February 26, 2010; a March 7, 1978 treatment record from Herbert Thomas Hospital; a VA Medical Center Shreveport treatment record from September 15, 2006; a letter of inquiry from Senator Landrieu, and a newspaper article entitled 'VA Vows to End Backlog.'

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for meningioma brain tumor and painful scars associated with a meningioma brain tumor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's facial acne and residual scars are a result of an incurrence during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back pain is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for a service-connected left foot scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for her right foot hallux valgus, but not for left foot hallux valgus or scars of the left great toe, fourth toe, and fifth toe. Her acne was also granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected residual surgical scar, status post right herniorrhaphy, is manifested by no more than a residual scar that is not painful but not unstable or which involved a total area of all related scars greater than 39 sq. cm. The appeal for an increased rating for residuals, status post right herniorrhaphy, other than a surgical scar, is denied as there is no evidence of recurrence.

The Board dismissed the claim for a compensable rating for an external scalp scar as there are no pending issues related to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a shrapnel wound with forehead scar and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, panic disorder, and depressive disorder) have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a compensable initial rating for service-connected residual scar tissue, status post lumbar laminectomy and fusion. The evidence did not support an earlier effective date or a higher initial rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability (osteoarthritis) and a postoperative scar of the right ankle, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.