Scars decisions — 2025

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for hearing loss, right and left wrist pain, a lung condition, and an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's scar, right hand.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for residuals of lung cancer and denied a compensable rating for right lobectomy scars, while granting a separate 10 percent rating for painful right lobectomy scars.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for epilepsy, psychomotor and service connection for right middle finger scar. Several claims were withdrawn and dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need regular aid and attendance, granting special monthly compensation.

The Board granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysms, status-post AAA repair.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation due to not meeting the legal criteria.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's residuals, status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair and granted a 10 percent evaluation for surgical scars, status-post bilateral inguinal hernia repair.

The Board granted an effective date of January 7, 2011, for a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and February 13, 2012, for service connection for painful (tender) surgical scars of the lower back.

The Board remands the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a urethral disorder, as it failed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher rating for oropharyngeal cancer s/p surgical removal with residual scars, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for recurrent tinnitus, left ankle disability, and left lower ear scar but denied service connection for hair loss. The Board also denied initial compensable ratings for tinea pedis and rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and spinal fusion scar as the evidence did not support that these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation, but denied an earlier effective date for prostatectomy residual scars. The reduction in the rating from 100 percent to 20 percent for prostate cancer residuals was upheld.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for various disabilities including back, lower extremity radiculopathy, knee, facial scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and erectile dysfunction.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board granted an increased 30 percent rating for tension migraine from February 6, 2024, to March 13, 2024, and a 50 percent rating for sleep apnea. It denied all other claims.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia, tension headaches, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and denied increased ratings for right elbow flexion, supination and pronation, extension, and scars. The Board also remanded claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for left eye chorioretinal scars and photophobia with visual field defect secondary to toxoplasmosis from February 13, 2013 to May 20, 2014 and from May 21, 2014 respectively.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, circumcision scar, urinary tract condition (including residuals of gonorrhea, recurrent urinary tract infections, and BPH), degenerative disc disease, and left leg condition (including radiculopathy). The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the case for corrective action regarding a pre-decisional duty to assist error in providing notice of the right to a hearing prior to issuance of the AOJ's initial decision.