Scars decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a left facial scar. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his case is remanded for further development regarding his left eye disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for chorioretinal scarring with tiny limbal cornea scarring is being remanded due to the Board's failure to consider a January 2009 medical report and other relevant complaints. The case will be remanded for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disability, with scar, due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case regarding his left knee disability. The post-appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable evaluation for a scar disability due to insufficient precision in the reported stressor event and the need for further examination of his current condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for mid back pain with osteoporosis and lower back pain with osteoporosis, bilateral hearing loss, cystocele surgery scar complications, periodic limb movement disorder of the right and left lower extremities, and sciatica. The Veteran's examinations were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts, and she has shown good cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating are remanded due to unclear diagnoses and the need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a skin disability, including a skin rash to the neck and arms. The right inguinal hernia issue was remanded due to insufficient evidence. Initial ratings for cholecystectomy scar status post gall bladder removal and left shoulder surgical scar remain noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteosclerosis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,For Crohn’s disease, an increased rating greater than 30 percent was denied. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for severe ulcerative colitis with numerous attacks and malnutrition.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, atrophy of the testicles, or left inguinal nerve injury and residual scar.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney on July 12, 2013 was denied because the services were not rendered in a 'medical emergency' and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for Fournier gangrene with secondary surgical scar and acne vulgaris, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete medical records, need for additional examination, and need for retrospective medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for inner right thigh scar, back condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or etiology. The Veteran is also remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, right foot, left foot, and scar disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected anterior trunk scar has been granted a compensable rating. The cases of residuals from left pinky toe surgery, right big toe disability, hypertrophic gastritis, and calluses of the feet are remanded for further evaluation. Service connection for right orchiectomy is also remanded.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to August 23, 2010 due to factual errors in the January 2019 decision. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment at that time.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection awards, but the Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted.,The Veteran also seeks a higher rating for his TBI. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of this issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending reduction of his prostate cancer rating and SMC based on housebound criteria. The issue will be reconsidered after these reductions are resolved.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for scars of the upper back and face, rosacea, and contact dermatitis of the hands. The TDIU issue is also remanded as part of the initial rating claim.