Scars decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a skin disability, to include scars and burns, for further development including making a formal finding on toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and obtaining an addendum medical advisory opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a scar on the right big toe region and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including right hip strain and right knee osteoarthritis. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The appeal for a higher (compensable) disability rating for anterior trunk surgical scars was dismissed due to the July 2025 rating decision merely implementing the Board's previous decision, which is not appealable.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, considering that his service-connected orthopedic disabilities and major depressive disorder contributed substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected scars and migraines, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The veteran withdrew all appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review them.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and denied increased ratings for various conditions, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for a pilonidal cyst scar from March 7, 2024 and granted TDIU.

The Board granted an effective date of April 30, 2020, for the award of service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied increased ratings for left foot cuneiform fracture, left lower extremity anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve impairment, and facial scars.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for COPD and a compensable disability rating for bilateral inguinal hernia surgical scars.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability (manifested as plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and hallux valgus) is service-connected. Bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for urethritis, left epididymitis, genital warts, Bell's palsy, and noncompensable evaluations for residuals of a fractured 5th digit, left hand, rhinitis, upper respiratory infections, and scar on the right index finger.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 25, 2020, for the award of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and scar, status post CABG procedure.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but SMC at a higher level of aid and attendance pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) was denied.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) with residual scarring, effective from April 17, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, left shoulder condition, right ankle condition, right wrist condition, right knee condition, and facial scars as the evidence did not support the existence of these conditions during or proximate to the claim period.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and periodic leg movements as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but dismissed the appeal for a compensable disability rating for scarring of the scalp.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including a low back disability, facial scars, GERD, hypertension, nerve disorders of the lower extremities, shoulder disabilities, OSA, TMJ, tooth disorder, and voiding dysfunction, as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Board denied service connection for tension headaches and eye surgery, granted a 10 percent evaluation for the right leg scar, and remanded several other issues related to service connection.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left thumb status-post ORIF, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis of the hands, and panic disorder. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis.