Scars decisions — 2014

The Veteran's burn scar of the right leg has been rated at 20 percent due to its deep and nonlinear nature, with an area of approximately 133 square centimeters. The pain associated with the scars is also considered in determining the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her hidradenitis supportiva right axilla, claimed as boils, with two small scars (skin disability).

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 7, 2009 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital are not eligible for reimbursement under VA regulations because the emergency treatment was not rendered in response to a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to his life or health.

The Board found no evidence of a left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee or hip disorders, head injury, or scar on head incurred during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected esophageal hiatal hernia, post-operative with abdominal scar, is manifested by dysphagia, reflux, vomiting, and some shoulder pain. The Board finds a 10 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, painful scars associated with skin cancer, tinnitus, and right hand arthritis, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability, left hip disability, or lower jaw scar that is related to his active military service. The evidence shows no chronicity of symptoms since service and no medical findings linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing treatment records from the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a head injury, including facial scarring, headaches, dizziness, anger management symptomatology, and memory loss, is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of excision of an osteochondroma/exostosis of the right tibia, including atrophy and scar formation. Service connection was also established for bilateral hip arthritis. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained and a comprehensive VA examination is conducted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his brain tumor was dismissed due to withdrawal. A separate compensable rating of 10 percent was granted for the left knee disability.

Service connection has been established for a left ankle disorder caused by a fall resulting from service-connected instability of the left knee.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was caused or aggravated by falls related to her service-connected left knee disability. Service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for residuals of an appendectomy and multiple tender scars residual of umbilical hernia repair was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating codes.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's recurrent epistaxis is granted service connection. The facial scars are rated at 10% and a separate 10% rating for pain is assigned. The psychiatric disability is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date before February 2, 2000, for the grant of a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability. The case has been remanded to determine if extraschedular consideration should be applied.