Scars decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee issues, lumbosacral strain, and tinnitus were denied. However, service connection for a gluteal scar was granted.

The veteran's request for a disability rating above 70% for PTSD was denied, but they were granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to their service-connected PTSD.

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran died while it was pending. The dismissal does not affect the right of an eligible person to take the Veteran's place to continue the appeal on the pending claim(s).

The veteran's claim for a higher rating before September 2021 was denied, but a separate 10% rating for chorioretinal scars was granted.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain was denied, but the issue of total disability due to service-connected disabilities was remanded for further review.

The veteran claimed total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) related to his service-connected diabetes and heart disease. The Board granted TDIU on a schedular basis from January 22, 2019, and on an extraschedular basis from February 15, 2013, to January 21, 2019, finding his part-time courier work constituted marginal employment in a protected environment due to the severity of his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, severe burn injury, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 3, 2021.

The veteran is granted a combined rating of 20 percent for scars from a left-side thoracotomy. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left and right hand scarring were denied. The appeals for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral hand conditions (other than scarring), as well as a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable disabilities, were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance for an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was remanded.

The veteran withdrew their appeal, so the Board dismissed all issues.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a facial scar was granted, with the effective date set to August 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), an initial compensable disability rating for tension headaches, and an initial compensable disability rating for sacral teratoma residual scars were denied. The claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, groin condition, and neck disability were remanded.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for needing regular aid and attendance due to their eye disability. The claim for a higher disability rating is remanded for further examination.

Service connection for PTSD was granted. Service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and compensable ratings for right ring finger flexor digitorum profundus tendon rupture and a scar on the right fourth finger were denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings or service connection for various conditions were mostly denied, but some issues were remanded for further review.

The Board dismissed claims for earlier effective dates but remanded decisions on service connection for plantar fasciitis and rating increases.

The Board remanded all issues to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to satisfy a regulatory or statutory duty. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further evaluation, including TERA examinations.

The appeal for service connection of scars on the left and right forearms was dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The decision does not affect the right of an eligible person to continue the appeal through substitution.