Scars decisions — 2018

The Veteran's epidermal inclusion cyst and associated residual scar have been granted service connection, with effective dates prior to November 4, 2013. The initial evaluation for the epidermal inclusion cyst was granted at a 10% rating, while the noncompensable rating on the associated residual scar has an earlier effective date of November 30, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for the residual scar remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder scars was also denied due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, including the issues of service connection for right shin shrapnel wound with scar and hypertension. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's disability ratings have been remanded for further evaluation due to the complexity of his multiple service-connected disabilities in the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left supraclavicular surgical scar was denied. The issues of increased ratings for sarcoidosis, skull defect, and underarm biopsy are remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading to a grant of a clothing allowance for the year 2014. The other issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow disability, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right foot disability, right ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and right hand scaring. The claims are being remanded to provide further examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a wart of the scalp and an initial compensable evaluation for the service-connected callus and scar of the right great toe. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptomatology since onset or separation from service will be considered, along with any other pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities with retained foreign bodies were granted a 30 percent initial evaluation, effective from September 2, 2014. From February 21, 2017, the Veteran was granted a 40 percent initial evaluation for these scars.

The Board has remanded several issues including right and left wrist disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and high blood pressure due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back condition, right knee disorder, and scars associated with surgery for bilateral gynecomastia was denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and that there is no direct or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polymyositis, scar of the left lung, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals on the ratings for rectal fistula and rectum scar have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and breathing problems have been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's chronic constipation, seborrheic dermatitis and tinea versicolor, right eye disability, chronic sinusitis, chronic sweating of the feet, and scars of the breasts and abdomen have been granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension has not resulted in a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for the claims of service connection for COPD and an initial compensable rating for a lung condition. The VA will obtain additional medical records, conduct a new examination with pulmonary function tests, and provide an opinion on whether COPD is related to service or caused by the service-connected lung condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the medical evidence does not support a finding that his service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, and she is requested to provide updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, hysterectomy residuals, and surgical scar are not granted as service connected.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, ischemic heart disease, a scar from heart surgery, and a residual scar on the left knee. The appeal was dismissed.