Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's acne with scars has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins and benign surgical scars do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he is able to walk up to one and a half miles with the help of a cane.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for status post hysterectomy with painful scar was denied in the April 2007 rating decision. The issue is now moot as a new and material evidence appeal has been granted due to the grant of service connection for irregular menses, status post hysterectomy and painful scars associated with hysterectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability throughout the appellate period.

The Veteran's scar from a subcutaneous mastectomy on his right breast is not compensable, as it does not meet the criteria for any of the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a VA examination and obtain additional medical records. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder recurrent dislocation with degenerative arthritis of the AC and glenohumeral joint, and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for scar, status post surgery, right shoulder will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service. Additional medical records are also sought.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability and an increased rating for left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, to include as due to exposure to an herbicidal agent and as secondary to a service-connected disability is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the March 2011 VA examination is inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claim and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA medical center records from Little Rock.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development regarding the Veteran's peptic ulcer and abdominal scars, including an examination to assess the nature and severity of related abdominal muscle impairment.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her service-connected left hallux valgus with bunionectomy and left forearm scar secondary to a tick bite were denied. The maximum allowable rating of 10 percent has been assigned for both conditions throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar due to a pilonidal cystectomy is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804 for painful scars. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings as it does not involve multiple unstable or painful scars, nor does it result in disabling effects not considered otherwise under scar diagnostic code criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, residuals of right shoulder/arm injury, and an initial compensable rating for post-concussive syndrome. The claim for increased rating for a right eye disability remains on appeal.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected surgical scar of the anterior lower abdomen, effective March 24, 2011. The Veteran previously had a non-compensable rating from November 1, 2009 to March 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right upper extremity disability, necessitate regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, the claim for SMC on the basis of need for aid and attendance is granted.