Scars Board decisions

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 26, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's scar of the left upper extremity, first finger of the left hand is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's additional disability related to supraumbilical ventral hernia with intermittent abdominal pain and several painful postoperative scars was proximately caused by an unforeseen event during VA surgical treatment, leading to the need for further surgeries. The Board has determined that compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is warranted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as presumed due to herbicide agent exposure. The skin cancer claim is remanded for a VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple musculoskeletal issues and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 12, 2010. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction is rated at 40 percent disabling since November 9, 2000.,A separate 10 percent rating for a muscle injury of the abdominal muscles group XIX has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residual facial scars from a shrapnel wound and tuberculosis were granted with effective dates of November 29, 2015. The Veteran's claims for service connection for post-surgical inguinal hernia residuals, an anterior trunk scar, PTSD, TBI, and tension headaches were granted with effective dates of February 1, 2016.,The Veteran was awarded retroactive compensation starting from December 1, 2015, for the 20% disability evaluation, and March 1, 2016, for the 50% disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also denied his claim for bilateral hearing loss and granted his claim for a head scar. The remaining issues, including arthritis of the right wrist, right shoulder rotator entrapment, bilateral foot pain, head trauma, diabetes mellitus, numbness in hands (secondary to diabetes), and hemorrhoids, have been remanded.

The Veteran's abdominal scars are granted as they were incurred during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for skin cancer and a scar, status post skin cancer is denied.,The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches and face pain is rated at 10 percent from November 28, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash (recurring skin sensation disturbance), and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity is denied. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection and disability ratings for the Veteran's conditions. The VA will need to review additional treatment records before making a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for Morton’s neuroma with residual scar, right foot and a higher rating for scar, right foot due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right middle finger scar condition had its onset during service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC based on a single disability rated as total and an additional disability ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and physical conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issues of service connection for a headache condition, left ankle condition, low back condition, and scar on right eye.