Scars decisions — 2025

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including prostate cancer and depression, was granted an effective date of September 13, 2021. Some rating evaluations were denied or granted at specific percentages.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for a scar on his right hand was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied compensable ratings for the veteran's right knee surgical scar and left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar, finding that neither scar met the criteria for a rating.

The Board remanded the claims for a VA skin examination to determine the current nature and severity of service-connected actinic keratosis or any recurrent residuals thereof.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for keloid scars was denied, but a separate 20 percent rating for painful facial scars was granted. All other issues were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it related to the veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The veteran's rating for a painful scar on the left index finger was restored to 10 percent, but the request for a higher rating was denied.

The veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases were dismissed because the veteran requested to withdraw them.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected kidney cancer and scars, finding that the conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis was denied. The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for an abdominal scar starting June 7, 2022, and a 30 percent rating for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome from August 15, 2012 to October 17, 2013 and from December 1, 2013. The veteran's claims for service connection for right hip joint replacement and right knee status post total arthroplasty were remanded.

The Board dismissed several appeals for earlier effective dates related to service-connected scars and PTSD. Some motions for revision based on clear and unmistakable error were also dismissed, while others were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 5, 2022, is remanded. The Board needs more information to decide the claim fairly.

The veteran is granted a 10% rating for right thigh scars. The appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with spinal fusion is dismissed. The issues of increased rating for the right thigh condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scars resulting from a right nephrectomy has been granted. The Board found that the scars are etiologically related to her service.

The Board remanded all issues to correct duty to assist errors and secure necessary medical examinations.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied. The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and separate ratings for scars on his right shoulder, upper extremity, and posterior trunk.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and compensation due to deferred adjudication in a previous rating decision.

The veteran is granted a 10% rating for a painful burn scar on the left upper extremity but denied higher ratings for the same scar and for a burn scar on the right wrist.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for both hearing loss and back scar. The Veteran's hearing was rated as Level I in both ears, and the back scar was measured at 0.5 square centimeters.