Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation, a compensable rating for his neck scar, and higher ratings for various service-connected conditions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and a compensable rating for pemphigoid scar of the left lower back, as the earliest allowed by law is November 14, 2022.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's bilateral foot conditions and scars, but remanded the claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The appeal for service connection and initial ratings for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and basal cell carcinoma residuals were dismissed due to procedural defects in the appeals process.

The Board granted an effective date of May 8, 2018 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on the Veteran's permanent and total disability status.

The Board denied an increased rating for atrial flutter and granted service connection for a back scar, but remanded the claim for a skin condition manifested as lipomas.

The Board denied service connection for residual burn scars, insomnia, and left and right knee conditions. The initial compensable rating for the residual burn scars was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of scars on his chest, as the claims were not timely filed and the effective dates cannot be earlier than June 29, 2022.

The Board remands the claim for a refund of a VA funding fee to obtain additional records and readjudicate the decision with consideration that the Veteran was still on active duty and receiving service pay at the time of the closing of his home loan.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for pancreatic cancer status post partial pancreatectomy and related conditions, but denied an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, but denied increased ratings for eczema, partial amputation of the left middle toe, and postsurgical scar to the left middle toe.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus. Other conditions were granted as complications of the diabetes.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, right thumb disability, and right thumb scar but granted a 10% rating for the painful right thumb scar. The claims for increased initial ratings for bilateral wrist DeQuervain's syndrome and tendinitis were remanded.

The Board remands the matter to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected corneal scarring, left eye.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for left inguinal hernia and an initial compensable rating for the scar of the left inguinal hernia, as there was no evidence of recurrent hernia or a painful, unstable, or large scar.

The Board denied service connection for plantar fasciitis, a headache disorder, and a scar status post circumcision as there was no competent evidence to support the claims. The Board also denied a higher rating for the Veteran's back disability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of December 21, 2022, for the grants of service connection for adjustment disorder, arteriosclerotic heart disease, scars of the anterior trunk, scars of the left lower extremity, and hypertension (HTN).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left lower groin scar resulting from a transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted some separate evaluations, while remanding others.