Scars decisions — 2018

The Board denied compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a forehead excision performed in January 2010 because the evidence did not show that VA's care caused an additional disability.

The Veteran's left eye scarring and removal of lower lid due to cancer were not caused by VA negligence or fault, as the risks associated with these procedures were discussed and consented to by the Veteran. The Board found no additional disability resulting from VA care.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back injury, scar on lower back, and mental disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence, including lack of verification of active duty status following her C-section. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a C-section scar and related disabilities, as well as the current severity of her patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for HPV and scar, right foot, residual ligament release surgery due to insufficient information regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gouty arthritis has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip scar, residual of a gunshot wound, has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for a left leg above-the-knee amputation and a chest scar, both of which are secondary to other conditions. The Veteran failed to appear at the scheduled examination due to an address issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service-connected residuals of left lung surgery and residual scar, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging a respiratory examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for varicose veins of the right and left legs, as well as residual scars from vein stripping on both legs, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris with scarring is rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2012.,Bilateral hammertoes are each rated at 10 percent since the date of receipt of his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, low back disability, tinnitus, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a left thigh scar, have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a burn scar of the right arm, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete examination findings and functional loss. The Veteran will need a comprehensive VA examination to assess his arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries.

The Veteran's heart condition, hypertension, and residual cardiac scar have been granted effective from February 15, 2001. The squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of the tongue has not been granted an earlier effective date.,Issues related to increased ratings for the heart condition, hypertension, and residual cardiac scar are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to lack of recent VA examinations, and because the Veteran testified that his service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for additional evidence regarding wear or tear on his clothing caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for higher ratings are not supported by the evidence of record. The VA examinations and treatment records do not provide sufficient information to support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected tissue injury in the chest and painful scar of his left chest prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 27, 2011, and from October 26, 2011.