Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his limited range of motion is attributed to nonservice-connected lung cancer and post-surgical treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as the Board finds that a scar from an appendectomy during service meets the criteria for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and joint disease status post decompression surgery with residual scar, prior to April 27, 2012, and beginning April 27, 2012.

The Board found that while the Veteran developed a scar as an additional disability, VA did not provide proper medical care during his February 2009 treatment. The Board concluded that this was due to negligence and lack of proper skill on the part of the VA doctors and nurses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board found that the Veteran's upper back scar does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of instability or pain. The claim for increased ratings for tinnitus and sinusitis was also denied.

All claims for service connection related to burns, kidney disorder, high cholesterol, positive tuberculosis test, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, hemorrhoids, scars, anemia, and asthma have been denied. The Veteran's skin condition is not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is considered to be incurred in service due to exposure to hazardous noise, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records related to his workers' compensation claim and private treatment records from the 2001 motor vehicle accident. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headaches, and a head injury are also pending.

The Veteran withdrew her claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a miscarriage, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right hand scarring and degenerative joint disease of the right hand is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current disabilities and the in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to properly notify the appellant of her scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has not yet issued a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) due to new evidence added to the record since the December 2011 SOC. The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board at the Regional Office Out-Base[d] Service Center in West Palm Beach is pending and must be addressed.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for appendectomy with residual surgical scar was denied as the current manifestations do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and residuals of a right fifth finger fracture were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The RO granted service connection for four superficial tender scars effective April 22, 2011. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date of July 10, 1990.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.