Scars Board decisions

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of December 11, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's penis deformity with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. The penile scar is rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The specific service connection or exposure basis details are not provided in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected left thumb disability, effective August 31, 2010. The separate compensable rating for the service-connected left hand scar is denied.

The Veteran's scars were painful but not deep or caused limited motion. They met the criteria for a 10 percent rating from August 30, 2002 to October 23, 2008 and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to concerns about the nature and severity of the Veteran's hearing loss and scars, as well as potential noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's left hand Dupuytren's contracture is not considered to be related to his service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran's corneal scarring of the left eye with secondary induced irregular astigmatism and decreased visual acuity secondary to metallic foreign body injury has not resulted in corrected distance vision worse than 20/40, which does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there are no legal grounds to assign a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6260. For ED, the RO has already granted service connection and assigned the minimum (zero percent) evaluation allowed by law.

The Veteran's right little finger disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is service connected and rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The claim for an initial compensable rating for his right little finger crush injury with residual scar is granted.

The Veteran's dermatitis and actinic keratosis of the bilateral upper extremities are service-connected. The left hand scar, seizure disorder, and arthritis of the cervical spine and shoulders are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings have been granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for residuals of partially amputated left index finger. The issue of service connection for traumatic brain injury was denied. The claim for multiple noncompensable disabilities is moot due to the assignment of at least 10 percent throughout the rating period.

The Veteran's nerve damage of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity have been granted service connection with effective dates set at January 5, 2010.

The Veteran's scars of the head, face, or neck are rated at 30 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for painful scars is granted. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is service connected due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring on the right and left sides, back of neck was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disabilities, including cataracts and presbyopia, are not related to his in-service injuries or service-connected left eye corneal scarring. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depression and other psychiatric disorders, have caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation as of September 11, 2011.