Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 24, 2007 is being remanded for further consideration by the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if it was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,A VA medical opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bladder tumors and urothelial carcinoma are related to his active duty service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. The examiner should also consider the Veteran’s 1960 and 1966 in-service treatment for urethritis and gonorrhea.,The Veteran's parotid tumor excision scar is not entitled to a compensable initial rating as it does not meet the criteria for disfigurement or instability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the residual scar of the right lower leg abscess incised was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition results in disfigurement.,For the acquired psychiatric disorder to include an anxiety disorder and PTSD, the claim for ratings in excess of 30 percent from May 22, 2009, and in excess of 50 percent from October 27, 2012 was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition manifests with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's hypertension, residual scar from laceration to left thumb, and service connection for erectile dysfunction are granted with a 20% rating effective May 2nd, 2016. Bilateral cataracts, diabetes mellitus, and gout are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a nose condition and an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right nasal scar, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these determinations.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, including informed consent documents and a May 2014 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if the proximate cause of his residuals of left-hand trigger finger, including painful scar with disfigurement, was an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has granted service connection for facial acne with residual scars as if it were awarded on the date of the July 1982 rating decision. The noncompensable rating for hydradenitis of the groin remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected left middle finger disability, including whether there is interference with the overall function of his left hand warranting a separate disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is asked to provide updated contact information and reschedule the exams.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for service connection for a cut to the neck with scar and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since October 29, 2018, but the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied. The decision also denies entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Veteran's uterine fibroids and lower abdominal scars have been granted service connection, with a rating of 30 percent for the scars.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,An increased rating of 40 percent has been granted for the low back disability, effective throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's claims for VR&E benefits, including retroactive payment for education expenses and outside of the United States services, were denied as he did not meet eligibility criteria due to lack of employment handicap and refusal of employment services.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to exposure to in-service acoustic trauma. The rating for shrapnel scars of the right shoulder, right hand, and abdomen, and status post lung resection scars of the left chest remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) as he does not have a single 100% disability and is not permanently confined to his immediate premises due to his service-connected conditions.