Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease with osteochondromatosis, or right knee degenerative joint disease prior to June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for psoriasis/skin spots, an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right hand, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right foot surgery with hallux rigidus and gout (claimed as right foot hammer toe). The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical degenerative disc disease has been denied. His claims have not yet been adjudicated.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and acne scars. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service exposure to noise, which led to current tinnitus symptoms. For acne scars, the Board determined there were in-service symptoms of scarring noted during service and no evidence of pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and workers' compensation records, as well as VA treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disorder and low back disorder claims are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include right lower extremity varicose veins, stasis dermatitis of the right lower leg and foot, left knee degenerative joint disease, chin scars, and right shoulder degenerative changes with rotator cuff tendonitis. The Veteran's combined evaluation has been 70 percent since May 31, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a right index finger scar was denied as the scar is not deep or limited in motion, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected tender scar, left foot, status-post plantar wart removal with subsequent removal of painful scar tissue is rated at 30 percent, which constitutes a full grant of the appeal.

The Veteran's scars from a bilateral mammectomy are currently rated as 50 percent under Diagnostic Code 7626, effective since July 2014. The psychiatric disorder issue is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ring finger scar and a left knee disability, both related to the Veteran's active duty training (ACDUTRA) in the Marine Corps. The maximum rating of 10% is assigned for each condition.

The Veteran's appeals were granted, with increased ratings for PTSD and ankle disabilities. The right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, but the effective dates for service connection of diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's December 2014 surgery and considering a temporary total evaluation based on surgical or other treatment. The claim will be readjudicated with consideration of Diagnostic Code 5055 by analogy.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appendectomy residuals and scar are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected scars and their associated neurological symptoms. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a surgical scar of the right shoulder, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claims. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a personal hearing. The claims of increased evaluation and service connection remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a pilonidal cyst excision manifested as a scar, but denied service connection for low back disability, tailbone disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome (FDS).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's lung conditions, including asthma and sleep apnea, are presumed to have been incurred during service. The heart condition is also presumed to be related to service.