Scars decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for right cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for a scar on the forehead and remanded issues related to left hip, right hip, and foot disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a back disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a back scar. The claims for hearing loss, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and restless leg syndrome (RLS) were denied.

The Board denied service connection for elevated blood pressure and noncompensable evaluations for various scars and conditions, as the evidence did not support a current disability or sufficient symptoms to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board granted service connection for back disability, neck disability, anemia, right shoulder impingement and degenerative arthritis, back scars, stenosis and facet joint hypertrophy of the lumbar spine and chronic thoracic myalgia, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and a 10 percent rating for GERD, effective May 19, 2024.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, but no higher, for the Veteran's scar, left thigh s/p skin graft with underlying tissue damage associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil. The claim for a compensable disability evaluation for the same condition was denied.

The Board granted an effective date of August 21, 2013, for a separate rating for the right hip surgical scar and denied earlier effective dates for service connection for left hip iliopsoas bursitis with tendinosis and right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board dismissed the appeals for proposed rating reductions and denied higher ratings for leg compartment syndrome and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and an initial 40 percent rating for IVDS, while denying higher ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, a residual scar, and bilateral foot disability. The effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was also granted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss but granted a 10 percent rating for a surgical scar of the left ear.

The Board denied an increased rating for the left ear scar and granted a separate 10 percent rating for pain, while denying service connection for several conditions including left hamstring strain.

The appeals for an increased rating and earlier effective date for residual surgical scars were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for a right forehead scar and remanded the claims for service connection of various other disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board granted service connection for malignant melanoma and a scar on the right temple, denied an increased rating for PTSD, and granted TDIU.

The Board granted an effective date of January 11, 2006 for the grant of service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for tinea pedis, residuals of left inguinal hernia, and a left hernia scar.

The character of the appellant's discharge from active military service is not a bar to the receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and service connection for total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy and associated scars was granted.

The Board granted service connection for right hand tremors as a manifestation of tardive dyskinesia and carotidynia due to enlarged lymph nodes, while denying service connection for other conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, gastric ulcer, submandibular scar, bone spurs of the feet, low back disorder, plantar fasciitis, enlarged right testicle, and cyst on the back.

The Board denied initial ratings of over 10 percent for left forearm flexion limitation, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and linear scars overlying the left elbow and forearm. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance was remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of June 29, 2021, for the award of service connection for residuals of bladder cancer and associated disabilities.