Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected chronic calcific and fibrotic scarring of the lung is granted, with COPD also considered as a current disability.,Service connection for COPD is denied. The preponderance of evidence fails to establish that the Veteran's diagnosed COPD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected callous of the right foot with residual surgical scars. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated together.

The Board found that the VA surgeries did not result in additional disability, and concluded that there was no negligence or fault on the part of VA staff.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right inguinal hernia and residual surgical scar, as well as a secondary service connection claim for a muscle disability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder disability and post-surgical scar are being remanded to allow for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to obtain any outstanding private treatment records. The case will be reviewed for readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his left wrist disability and its impact on his ability to work. The case may also be referred to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right eye disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected status post left pectoralis repair with scar.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities should be remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment information and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a cane, scooter, and/or wheelchair. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his scars and service connection for a lung disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating codes.

The Veteran has a scar on the upper lip as a residual of an in-service facial injury, and this is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's initial claim for scars from his right ankle surgery was denied, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from October 4, 2012, was also denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately capture the severity of the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and vocational experience, and the Board finds that she is unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability related to his active service. The Veteran has received an initial compensable rating for tinnitus and a noncompensable rating for right eardrum perforation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claim, including obtaining private and VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.