Scars decisions — 2015

The Veteran's disability rating for scars, status post breast reduction, was reduced from 30 percent to noncompensable. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored her original 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scarring of the chest is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case to the AOJ for further development due to incomplete VA medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to obtain and submit any missing records, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination and outstanding records. The AOJ will have an opportunity to review this evidence on remand.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 15, 2006 for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for scars was denied as the earliest possible effective date is November 15, 2006.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 7, 2009 for compensation for MDD associated with scarring was also denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 7, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30% rating for service-connected painful scars on his right wrist, left 4th toe, and medial forearm is denied as there was no pending claim or documented evidence of multiple painful scars prior to May 27, 2010.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the Veteran's scars and back condition claims due to incomplete information in previous examinations. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and its relation to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with new examinations to assess her current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for an improved death pension due to new evidence submitted since the April 2003 RO decision. The case is now remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's residual scarring of the upper left chest is manifested by a single painful scar measuring at most 12 square centimeters that is neither deep nor unstable. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for scars, residuals of an injury to the face and teeth, scars, residuals of a left knee shell fragment wound, and scar of the back of the head. The evidence received since the final denial suggests that the Veteran may have been treated during service for these disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder and an effective date prior to March 15, 2010, for the award of a compensable disability evaluation for chronic peptic ulcer with duodenal scarring. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records, and there is credible evidence linking his in-service injury to his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a scar of the right lower leg is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred a scar during active duty and it is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding specific expenses incurred for the payee's last sickness. The appellant is required to provide a detailed accounting of such expenses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the earliest date of receipt of a claim was used to determine when he became entitled to benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, scar on the left calf, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, gastrointestinal disorder, TMJ, and tinnitus have all been granted.,However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has chronic toenail fungus and/or chronic plantar fasciitis related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's original claims for service connection were filed on November 9, 2010, and granted by a May 8, 2012 rating decision. The effective date of these grants is set at November 18, 2010. The Veteran argued he should have received an earlier effective date based on his belief that he would have filed for service connection prior to November 9, 2010, if not for erroneous advice given during his separation physical examination in February 1961. However, the Board determined there was no evidence supporting this claim and denied the request for an earlier effective date.