Scars decisions — 2018

All issues are being remanded for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for his superficial scar of the right lower leg, as well as an increased disability rating for PTSD, will be reconsidered after additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's medial right knee scar post baker's cyst excision is painful and rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ankle scars is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin disability, including dermatitis and a reaction to concrete with a residual scar on the penis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that additional development is needed due to conflicting treatment records and remands the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis, postoperative scar of the right knee (SP arthroscopy), and lumbar spine condition have been rated. The rating for right knee arthritis is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left arm burn scar have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examinations and rating actions on multiple service-connected disabilities, including left ankle trauma, right ankle disability, bilateral upper extremity scarring, bicep tendon rupture repair, forearm tendonitis, right foot calcaneotomy, and partial gastrocnemius resection of the left ankle. Effective dates are also being remanded for these issues.

The Veteran's effective dates for the awards of service connection for cervical spine strain and cervical spine degenerative joint with residual spinal fusion scar, as well as thoracolumbar spine strain (previously rated as intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis), are denied as they fall on or after November 8, 2008.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 31, 2014 for service connection of right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and residual scar associated with lumbar spine IVDS.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his service-connected keloid scar and a separate rating for painful scar are granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected keloid scar, but remanded for further development regarding his claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high grade dysplasia with LEEP was reopened and granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was also granted, as the Board found that her current disability is related to symptoms in service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for OSA was withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of a fragment wound of the left posterior calf muscle group XI and scars of the left posterior calf is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to January 20, 2010, but not in excess of that rating from March 1, 2010.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for OSA.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development of service personnel records and treatment records, including those related to National Guard service. The Veteran's conditions are left elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, rib, abdominal pain, forehead scar, rash on face, forehead dryness, head injury, hyperventilation, asthma, cervical spine disability, left knee, hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for various conditions, including rheumatism, bilateral hearing loss, asthmatic bronchitis, fractures of fingers, and a scar. The Veteran is to be provided with an opportunity to authorize VA to obtain records from Dr. R., and a VA examination is required to address the relationship between current disorders and service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's lumbar back condition and bilateral leg conditions are inadequate. The Veteran is being remanded to obtain new, adequate examinations with a rationale addressing his in-service complaints of pain and injuries.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for scars of the head, scalp, and face prior to February 9, 2016 is denied as there is no evidence of visible or palpable tissue loss or six or more characteristics of disfigurement. The claim for a compensable initial rating for scars of the bilateral upper extremities is also denied due to lack of qualifying criteria under DC 7805.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, bronchitis, scars and skin disfigurement, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.