Scars decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of cervical dysplasia, and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar of a donor site, status post-left nephrectomy. The Board found that there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current conditions and her service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting any necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under U.S.C.A. § 1151 was granted because the residual scar of a second degree burn to the right calf is not considered an event reasonably foreseeable from the treatment prescribed by VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the criteria for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has found that a remand is required to provide the Veteran with another VA examination for his right eye disability and left eye disability, as well as request relevant medical records. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left ankle disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA compensation examination.

The Veteran's left chest GSW residuals are currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating. A separate 10 percent rating for a thoracotomy scar has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for low back scarring as a residual of lumbar punctures performed in January 1992 during service, but denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder and an opinion regarding his employability. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference Board hearing in Washington DC. The claims will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to scheduling a videoconference hearing for the Veteran. The appeal is currently in a pending state.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a punji wound on the right foot, with degenerative joint disease, hallux valgus and a scar. The appeal also includes a claim regarding whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a December 1971 decision that denied service connection for a right foot condition.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating prior to July 17, 2012. The Veteran is also service-connected for other conditions that do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The VA physician found that the service-connected conditions (right forearm amputation, left hand injury, scar on nose, and left shoulder arthritis) did not substantially or materially contribute to the Veteran's death from end stage renal disease due to congestive heart failure. The Board therefore denied the claim as there was no evidence of a relationship between the service-connected disabilities and the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, vasectomy scar, and prostate mass have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the case has been remanded for further examination and assessment of his employability.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity varicose veins disabilities have been productive of eczema throughout the appeal period, and of eczema and persistent edema since May 21, 2011; but not of persistent ulceration or massive board-like veins with constant pain during rest at any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity varicose veins disabilities have been productive of eczema throughout the appeal period, and of eczema and persistent edema since May 21, 2011; but not of persistent ulceration or massive board-like veins with constant pain during rest at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's current abdominal disability, including a surgical scar and an incisional hernia, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the left ankle, right shoulder, back, and left arm have not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.