Scars Board decisions

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current skin condition, to include acne and residual scars, etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as effective dates prior to certain dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shell fragment wound scars to the left thigh and mid-spine, as well as separate evaluations for the scars.

The appeal for service connection for disfigurement due to facial scars is remanded for the issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin condition as a residual of smallpox or treatment for smallpox, and scars as residuals of smallpox but denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a 40 percent disabling lumbar strain and a noncompensable scar on the lower back, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent evaluation on the basis of limitation of extension, while her left knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation for limitation of flexion and a 10 percent evaluation on the basis of limitation of extension. The Veteran's left forearm scar was not found to warrant a compensable rating prior to December 18, 2008, but was granted a 10 percent rating beginning that date.

The veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected melanoma, but the claims for a large mass of the groin area and increased ratings for residuals of a donor site scar of the right hip and melanoma were denied.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance as of May 1, 2005.

The Board remands the matters on appeal to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple claimed disabilities were not the proximate result of active duty and were, in fact, due to his own misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected median nerve neuralgia of the left hand is rated at 20 percent, which approximates moderate incomplete paralysis. The other claims remain under review.

The Board denied the petition to reopen a claim for service connection for hearing loss and a left ear condition, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, IBS, cholecystectomy, migraines, right knee injury, tinnitus, and other conditions, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 10, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for dental trauma, prostate cancer, and facial scars as there is no evidence of inservice exposure to ionizing radiation, and the conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, and also denied initial compensable evaluations for right calf scar and left knee scar.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his suicide was due to mental unsoundness associated with depression resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased (compensable) ratings for the service-connected left elbow scar, right wrist scars, and right leg scar.