Scars Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 9, 2014, and June 7, 2013, for service connection for atrophy of the right gluteal muscle and a right hip surgical scar have been denied.,Higher initial ratings for left hip DJD, limitation of flexion, and thigh impairment are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability evaluations for scarring of the head, face, and neck as well as scarring of the right upper extremity and posterior trunk have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of characteristics of disfigurement or other disabling effects warranting a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings due to outstanding SSA disability records that may provide relevant information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 28, 2010 and for increased ratings are remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his service-connected conditions.