Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for keloid scars as residuals of cystic acne has been denied. The medical evidence does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar status post lipoma removal has been rated at 10 percent since July 21, 2004. The Board finds that the current rating of 10 percent is appropriate as there is no evidence of instability or pain in excess of what is currently assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds it unnecessary to refer this claim to the Director for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery bypass graft scar is painful on palpation and warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's combined rating is 50 percent, and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are enough to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's acne scars of the face and upper back have been rated at 30 percent since July 22, 2014. The appeal is granted for these ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service department records and in-service stressor verification. The Veteran's PTSD claim is reopened, but new evidence must be provided before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and thus grants his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a compensable rating for a scar have been withdrawn.

The Board denied an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran's appeal of this decision is pending before the Court, and a remand to the AOJ to schedule him for a videoconference hearing has been ordered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, scars, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable due to his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he has met the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of August 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to provide a detailed explanation of why TDIU was denied and whether referral to the Director of Compensation Service is warranted.

The Veteran's scar, residual of shrapnel wound to left neck, is not manifested by visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features. Therefore, the criteria for entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a surgical scar of the right lower extremity is granted, with an effective date of March 5, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery bypass graft with residual scar, is effective as of May 26, 1998.