Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for lung cancer and lobectomy scars, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for lobectomy scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, as well as an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because she did not have an employment handicap and was able to obtain suitable employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board granted a separate evaluation of 20 percent for plantar fasciitis of the right foot associated with a shrapnel wound, denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a right foot shrapnel wound based on paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve, and denied a compensable evaluation from June 4, 2019 for a right foot shrapnel wound scar.

The Board remands the claims for an additional attempt to obtain the appellant's correctional facility medical records.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae but granted a 10 percent disability rating for painful scars.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability, tinnitus, and increased ratings for major depressive disorder, basal cell carcinoma residuals, and forehead scar.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial rating due to a duty to assist error regarding notice of the right to a hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as the proposed rating reductions, were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded a TDIU, while denying increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, benign prostate hypertrophy, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, scars, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied a higher rating for high blood pressure and a compensable disability rating for a chest surgical scar. The issue of service connection for chronic kidney failure with dialysis was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for OSA, unspecified anxiety condition, left hip strain, scar due to lymph node removal, and painful lymphadenectomy scar. Some claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD, BPPV with perforated tympanic membrane, and hallux valgus due to a lack of formal or informal claims prior to August 13, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to July 11, 2019.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to ensure that all necessary development is completed.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for varicose veins of the left leg with scar prior to December 16, 2024, and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's scars of the left lower residuals varicosities surgery, left greater saphenous system as the evidence did not support that the scars were painful or unstable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including back condition, lower extremity radiculopathy, and hernia residuals.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for lumbar spine scars and dismissed the claim for service connection for hip scars from surgery (right).