Scars decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records. The Veteran's scar residual of a cyst is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not warrant an increased rating as there are no symptoms or characteristics of disfigurement that would support a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, GERD, bilateral lower extremity varicose veins, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 5, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a private MRI on October 21, 2010 due to lack of a 'medical emergency' and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's facial and neck scars were not rated higher than noncompensable prior to November 16, 2017. After that date, a rating in excess of 30 percent was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current disability levels.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to clarify diagnoses and provide opinions regarding etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the appeal period, leading to a TDIU being granted.

The Veteran's mupirocin 2% ointment was used for a service-connected skin condition, causing damage to his outer garments. The back brace case is remanded as the VA medical opinion did not address whether it causes wear and tear on clothing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision also remanded several issues, including the claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease with cardiac arrhythmia and scars from coronary artery bypass surgery are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA medical records, including those in VISTA.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and scars, status post retropubic prostatectomy have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for scar, residual of head injury is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's initial rating for painful scar of the left forehead is also denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board has remanded these issues.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating for pyrosis and regurgitation.,The Veteran's meralgia paresthetica, right thigh with inflamed right sacroiliac joint, is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 8529.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, gout, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular accident residuals, concussion residuals, right shoulder disorder, and scar on the back of head as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service separation.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his chest injury related to shell-fragments is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran also has service-connected scars, and both conditions are being evaluated together.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no evidence of current symptoms resulting from the appendectomy or related to the scar. The compensable rating for residuals of appendectomy, including scar, was not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for liposarcoma and its complications (right foot drop, angioneurotic edema of the left leg, angioneurotica edema of the right leg, and scar status post-surgery), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are all remanded due to need for further development.