Scars decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and increased ratings in various conditions, with some issues resulting in new and material evidence being submitted.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's status-post ventral herniorrhaphy with residual scar prior to November 21, 2011. As of January 1, 2012, a 20% rating was granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's facial skin disorder, including scars from cystic acne and subsequent surgical interventions, was rated at 80% since January 18, 2013. The evidence did not support a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination for scars related to the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound and abdominal scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peptic ulcer and resulting stomach scar are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his residual scarring and nerve damage are denied. The Board finds that the current ratings under the applicable regulations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent for scarring due to basal cell carcinomas of the nose, effective from February 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA scar examination and review of the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple ratings for burn scars across different extremities, and the case is being remanded to provide a corrected Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Appellant's service records and determine her claims for service connection. The VA will notify the Appellant if further action is required.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a scar, status post laparoscopy was withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, right foot disabilities, and multiple scars on the right thumb. The reduction in the rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 26, 2011 was found to be proper.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a chest scar and PTSD with alcohol abuse were denied by the Board. The current 10% rating for the chest scar is maintained, while the 50% rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and differentiate between symptoms attributable to his service-connected condition and any other diagnosed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and granted a noncompensable evaluation for his residual scar, chest wall. The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to active service, while his scar is not considered painful or unstable.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and scars of the chest and leg from a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The Veteran's claim is rated at 10%.

The VA medical opinions determined that the service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death. The Board found the private medical opinions of limited probative value due to their lack of a reasoned analysis and reliance on the Veteran's claims file.

The Veteran's post-operative appendectomy scar is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and degenerative joint diseases, do not render him unemployable as he is currently employed.