Scars Board decisions

The VA has determined that the veteran's appendectomy scar does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it is tender but not deep or unstable enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there was no prior informal or formal claim filed before March 12, 1998. The evidence did not show that the veteran had been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting further examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied. The RO granted a 30% rating for residuals of a fracture of the right radius and ulna, but denied her requests for higher ratings for scars of the upper lip and forehead and left foot disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The second-degree burn scars on both hands are not compensable, while the acne vulgaris with multiple sebaceous cysts warranted a 30 percent rating prior to August 30, 2002, and a 50 percent rating from that date onwards.

The veteran's right thigh scars were rated as non-tender and without limitation of motion prior to April 2004, warranting a noncompensable rating.,Subsequent to April 2004, the scar over the hip was tender but did not limit function or motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was not granted any additional ratings.

The veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of December 7, 2001.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for a left forehead scar and the petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to August 30, 2002 or for a rating in excess of 10 percent after that date. Additionally, no new and material evidence was presented to support reopening his claim for service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the scar on his chin prior to August 30, 2002 was denied. For the period beginning August 30, 2002, he is granted a 10 percent evaluation for disfigurement of the chin.

The veteran's severe psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia and substance abuse, render him unemployable and qualify for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claim.

The veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's shell fragment wound residuals of the right thigh, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar of the right forearm incurred in active service. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability and earlier effective date for total rating based on individual unemployability are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's service connection and rating claims, including consideration of recent changes in VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for additional action, including obtaining relevant VA clinical records and scheduling an examination by a different physician to address specific findings from the May 2004 VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her scar, residual of a hysterectomy and for a compensable rating for hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.