Scars decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct necessary examinations, and issue a statement of the case for certain service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including residual scarring from cellulitis, has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as there was no competent, probative opinion linking it to his service. For other conditions, the evidence supported the current assigned disability ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma (back of head, face, and right orbit), facial scars, neck disability, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and TDIU have been deferred due to the grant of combined 100% disability rating, but his diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for recurrent right ventral hernia and postoperative residual scars from an incisional herniorrhaphy were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as it is not a compensable disability. The Veteran's residual tender scar of epigastric hernia repair has been rated at the minimum level due to its non-painful and stable nature.

The Veteran's combined rating for her service-connected disabilities is 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on schedular ratings. The Board finds that she is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to her education, work experience, and medical findings.

The Board finds that service connection for residuals of a head injury, including cognitive deficits and a forehead laceration scar, is not warranted. Service connection for the forehead laceration scar is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have onset during active service, nor has it been established as a current disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence shows no connection between the Veteran's current hypertension and her military service.,Regarding the post-left TKA scar residuals, the preponderance of the evidence does not show any compensable level of impairment due to the residual scars.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination. The case will be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial compensable evaluation claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of scarlet fever, a heart disorder as secondary to residuals of scarlet fever, and a lung disorder to include COPD due to asbestos exposure are all denied.,There is no evidence of current residuals of scarlet fever. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's scarlet fever resolved during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right iliac crest scar was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of the disability, as it is not shown to cause limitation of motion or function. The claims for reopening a previously denied service connection claim for spinal stenosis secondary to the scar and for service connection for a right leg condition secondary to the scar were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations for hypertension and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left thumb fracture, inguinal hernia, right hip DJD, and surgical scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for the period from May 9, 2006 to March 13, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis during this timeframe.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic pulmonary disease disability is being remanded due to the need for new and pertinent medical records, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for a scar associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no scar related to his back condition.