Scars Board decisions

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiogram results and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right hand scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not include loss or permanent use of one or both feet, hands, vision, a severe burn injury, or ALS. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 22, 2014.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, but not housebound. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating at any time during the appeal period. The claim for service connection for a scar on the upper lip is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus, she is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected keloid scar have not been met or more nearly approximated for any period.

The Board found that the Veteran's Cesarean section scar, right wrist condition, and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation are not service-connected due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's burn scar of the right forearm is being remanded for further evaluation to determine its severity and how it affects his ability to use his arm.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased rating for a scar, status post-operative left inguinal hernia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show the presence of bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes or any other basis for service connection. For his back, left ankle, and knee disabilities, new examinations are required to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding his TMJ disability. The issues of rating for right foot strain, fingers with scar, and TMJ are still pending.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right middle finger disability and a separate noncompensable rating for his scar. The ratings are effective from March 2, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left hip disability and address functional loss due to pain during flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected gunshot wound residuals and scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability and associated surgical scar, as well as SMC based on aid and attendance, is May 13, 2015.