Scars decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the appeal of proposals to sever service connection for ischemic heart disease, left forearm anterior scar, mid sternum scar, hypertension, and hypothyroidism due to a lack of justiciable case or controversy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for a left lower leg scar, as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis but denied compensable ratings for right and left foot surgical scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and PTSD, preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation or an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher initial ratings, and a compensable rating for various conditions, finding no basis to grant any of these requests.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a compensable rating for the linear scar on the right index finger.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left breast cancer and residual scars, status post breast mastectomy to obtain an opinion under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act) due to the Veteran's presumed exposure to burn pits during her service in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation of thoracic outlet syndrome with left shoulder involvement, dismissed an appeal regarding a proposed reduction in the evaluation of thoracic outlet syndrome with right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and denied earlier effective dates for service connection for scar, right upper extremity, as well as claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and a residual scar of the posterior neck, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected basal cell carcinoma. The appeal for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headaches, granted a 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome, and denied a compensable rating for left eye chorioretinal scar and a higher rating for major depressive disorder.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for scars of the right foot, right ankle, and left foot due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic contact dermatitis with scarring, bilateral upper extremities and gastroesophageal reflux disease with helicobacter pylori.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, sarcoidosis, and residual scars status post basal cell carcinoma. Service connection was granted for chronic sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating and service connection due to a need for additional development, including obtaining updated administrative records and determining potential exposures during service.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, bilateral toenail fungus and athlete's foot, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and furuncle incision and drainage healed scar (claimed as cyst removal on buttocks with scar), but denied an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea with asthma associated with allergic rhinitis. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer and gum disease were remanded.

The Board denied restoration of a compensable rating for the linear scar and denied an increased rating for the painful scar. The appeal for service connection for left neck pain loss of ability to taste or produce saliva was dismissed.

The Board granted an effective date of December 5, 2019, for the award of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis joint replacement with thigh impairment and status post right hip surgery scar.

The Board granted service connection for a skin disorder, non-linear mid back scar, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The effective date for the grant of service connection was set as October 1, 2019.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection claims, and the Board dismissed the case.