Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent right and left eye disabilities, right and left foot disabilities (pes planus), heart disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, kidney disability related to Camp Lejeune exposure, and lower extremity disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and granted a 30 percent rating, but not higher, for GERD. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis and 10 percent for a painful residual scar on the dorsal surface of the left foot, status post bone removal.

The appeal for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for basal cell carcinoma of the forehead and squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp, entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scar, basal cell carcinoma of the forehead, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance/housebound was dismissed. However, the Veteran's right upper extremity and upper back scars were granted a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain (claimed as cervicothoracic spine pain), and a right forearm scar. The claims for posttraumatic residual pain and dysfunction of the knees, an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and chronic headaches were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder was denied, but he was granted individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted an initial rating of 90 percent, but no higher, for left and right total hip replacements.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for basal cell carcinoma and granted a separate 10 percent rating for a painful scar.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, and MDD. The claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever were readjudicated based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 21, 2018, as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal was granted for readjudicating the claim of entitlement to service connection for lethargy, and denied for earlier effective dates for depression with anxious distress and migraine headaches. The claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and others, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of eczema and left forearm scars, as well as increased ratings for eczema and a compensable rating for the left forearm scars.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 12, 2021 for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for schizoaffective disorder bipolar type and denied effective dates prior to June 12, 2021 for service connection for right knee instability and painful scars on the right lower extremity. However, it granted an effective date of August 24, 2020 but no earlier for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. A 10 percent rating was also granted for certain scars starting from September 24, 2021.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's surgical scar residuals of the left thumb as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, as the evidence did not support a current disability or a link to active service. The claims for lumbar spine condition, nose scar, and right-ear scar were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's keloid scar residuals, specifically during a flare-up if possible.

The Board grants service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, posterior neck scar, neurological impairments of all extremities, hypopharyngeal mucosa laceration with residual dysphagia and esophagus dysfunction, neurogenic bowel dysfunction, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to service-connected spinal disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, status post dual chamber ICD placement residual scar, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension with an effective date of October 29, 2020.