Scars decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of a left knee disability and a lower back scar, while remanding other claims including higher ratings for various disabilities.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease from September 1, 2020 to February 22, 2021 and denied earlier effective dates for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for coronary artery bypass surgery and service connection for an anterior chest scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right forearm conditions, finding that the current 10 percent ratings were appropriate based on painful motion and limitation of flexion and pronation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a facial scar on the skin of glabella and service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Board reinstated the 70% rating for PTSD and denied a compensable rating for the right laceration scar associated with right hand Dupuytren's contracture with post-traumatic arthritis of the index finger.

The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 50 percent for service-connected acne, facial scarring, effective December 16, 2013.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased disability ratings for various service-connected conditions, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a recurrent sleep disability to include obstructive sleep apnea, and ratings for atrial fibrillation and a right groin scar due to unverified periods of active duty with the Florida Air National Guard.

The Veteran's service connection for left neck scar was granted, while the claims for left sciatic radicular pain, hypoesthesia, paresthesia of the left lower extremity, right ankle pain, and right wrist and hand pain were denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied it for bilateral hearing loss. Other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied a higher (compensable) rating for the scar upper lip status post laceration and repair, as it did not meet the criteria for disfigurement or other characteristics warranting a compensable rating.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the right calf scar and a TDIU, but denied increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for the laparoscopic scars and denied higher ratings for all other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and an initial 70 percent rating, but not higher, for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for inner lip scars, and the claims for service connection for various disabilities were remanded due to missing records and a need for additional medical evidence.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for a left hip disability and a left hip scar, but denied an increased rating for a left hip scar.

The Board denied service connection for digestive condition and sinusitis, but granted service connection for vitiligo of the penis and lipomas. The initial ratings for various disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily migraines with tension headaches, rendered him unemployable from July 25, 2023, and he is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits starting the same date. He also qualifies for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as of October 9, 2023.