Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings have been granted, with the left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes receiving a 20 percent rating. The right and left foot disabilities each receive a 10 percent rating prior to April 27, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Allergic rhinitis receives a non-compensable rating. Post-operative scars on the right ankle and left shoulder are also rated as non-compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension, service connection for asthma and pilonidal cystectomy scar, buttocks (claimed as anal canal condition), early menopause, and a higher initial rating for her left axilla scar. The decision also noted that she was not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits due to her discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a corneal scar of the right eye, but denied service connection for loss of vision in the right eye due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's scars did not warrant higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, but the specific details of each grant are not provided in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar of the face and forehead as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability for which service connection can be granted. The preponderance of evidence shows no diagnosis or etiology provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scars associated with skin cancer. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, cervical strain, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and nasal fracture with deviated septum have been rated based on their current severity. The scar from the iliac crest bone graft has also been evaluated.,Service connection for residuals of a skull fracture is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acne vulgaris and its associated conditions has been granted.,Service connection is also established for malaria, as the evidence shows a diagnosis in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to establish that his left and right ear hearing loss are related to service, with aggravation beyond normal progression of the disease by noise exposure in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a pulmonary condition, an increased disability rating higher than 40 percent for residuals of a left leg shell fragment wound, and an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for left lower extremity scar residual of shrapnel wound and skin graft. The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar spine strain is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left leg shell fragment wound.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right shoulder scars, DJD and impingement of the right shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spurs. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the severity of his residuals from pilonidal cystectomy and perirectal sinus. The claims for service connection are also pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right femur fracture residuals and associated surgical scar do not warrant a higher disability rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial compensable ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and left shoulder scar, as well as the increased rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder with traumatic arthritis, were not granted. The claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder was also denied.