Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Board has restored a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected status-post right inguinal herniorrhaphy with surgical scar, effective June 1, 2015. The reduction from 10 percent to zero percent was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as his unemployment is not due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds, left chest thoracotomy and restrictive pulmonary disease with scar was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 1, 2010.,The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds, left chest thoracotomy and restrictive pulmonary disease with scar was also denied after March 1, 2010, as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's status post-surgery to correct right testicular torsion; epididymitis; epididorchitis did not result in recurrent symptomatic infection requiring drainage/frequent hospitalization greater than two times a year, and/or continuous intensive management of his symptomatology. The residual scar associated with the surgery was painful.

The Board has decided to remand several issues for further development, including increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of tumor, as well as service connection claims related to the Veteran's right mandibular gland mass. The TDIU issue is also raised and will be addressed on remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed left shoulder, hand, nerve disorder, or scar. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, seborrheic keratosis, multiple squamous cell carcinomas, and scars due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected left internal sphincterotomy and related scar, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her case.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no effective date or rating adjustments are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected surgical scar were denied. The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status beyond November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected physical disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in aggregate, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a circumcision scar is granted. The claims for residuals of a circumcision other than a scar, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and etiology of bilateral hydroceles are remanded. A psychiatric examination is also required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection issues, and thus they are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 5, 2014 for the award of a 10 percent evaluation for a residual laceration scar above right eye were denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 5, 2014 for the grant of service connection for right eye ptosis and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper right lip scar, anterior/medial right knee scar, and left shoulder scars. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and left shoulder injury residuals were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne and acne scars were denied as the current ratings of 10 percent are considered accurate representations of his condition.