Scars decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to actinic keratosis, which is a progression of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for painful scars of the face was denied earlier than October 20, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for inguinal hernia and left groin scar, as well as remanded claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another person, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for scars on the right leg and back of head, as well as left and right knee injuries, due to a lack of evidence supporting an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, scars of the face, psychiatric disorder, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was granted a rating of 30%, 60%, and 100% at different times based on the severity of his symptoms. A 10% rating for scar on anterior chest wall was also granted prior to April 8, 2016.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left forehead scar and denied service connection for anxiety (acquired psychiatric disorder). The claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the ratings and effective dates assigned to scarring on the back of scalp/neck, bilateral upper extremities, and bilateral lower extremities is dismissed due to claim preclusion.

The Board granted an effective date of April 7, 2009, for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and scars, but denied increased ratings for the same conditions.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the painful right fifth finger residual laceration scar and dismissed appeals regarding service connection for right knee instability, left knee instability, hypothyroidism, and a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including ankle pain, chronic lower back pain, GERD, hair thinning/loss, IBS, and others, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran was granted an initial 80 percent rating for residual disfigurement status post left total parotidectomy, a separate 10 percent rating for a painful left neck scar from May 9, 2013 to August 27, 2024, and a 10 percent rating for phrenic nerve damage status post left total parotidectomy based on diaphragm paralysis prior to December 14, 2023.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for a right medial bicep scar status post cyst removal and right upper extremity medial brachial cutaneous nerve damage, as well as a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and posterior trunk scars.

The Board granted service connection for cervical neoplasia, grade III severe dysplasia and tinnitus, while denying service connection for fatigue syndrome, scarring, status-post LEEP, and other conditions. The decision also denied initial ratings in excess of 70% for major depressive disorder and various other disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The Board granted the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a May 2022 rating decision granting higher ratings for painful residual right foot scars and service connection for bilateral claw foot (pes cavus), but denied it for the portion granting initial ratings for right knee MCL sprain, right hip iliopsoas tendinitis, and bilateral claw foot.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis were granted a 10 percent rating, while service connection was denied for herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple foot and knee conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, residual scars associated with the lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for status post uterine fibroid removal and anterior trunk scar, as there was no evidence of continuous treatment or disabling effects that warranted a higher rating.