Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for symptoms analogous to chronic conjunctivitis and scarring and disfigurement attributable to bilateral pinguecula, effective January 29, 2025.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's compartment syndrome, superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity with restless leg syndrome associated with compartment syndrome, and radiculopathy affecting both sciatic nerves. An earlier effective date was granted for the right sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have prevented her from being able to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation, and she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate.

The Board granted a 10 percent increased compensable disability rating for the Veteran's prostatectomy scar based on the Veteran's competent and credible statement that it is painful.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and providing an examination.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II and service connection for GERD, while denying increased ratings for lung cancer, hypertension, and hearing loss, among other issues.

The appeal was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement within one year after notification of the May 2022 and September 2023 rating decisions.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue, a compensable initial rating for G6PD deficiency anemia, a compensable rating for testicular varicocele, and a compensable rating for residual scar, left shin.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain and a gynecological condition (residuals of a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and scar endometriosis) based on the Veteran's lay statements, medical records, and service treatment records.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TBI. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, right ankle scar associated with ganglion cyst in the soft tissue of the ankle with tenosynovitis, left upper extremity scars associated with post traumatic changes of the left thumb, and post traumatic changes of the left thumb were also denied. Some issues related to service connection have been remanded for further consideration.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for back condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and associated service-connected scar due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board granted service connection for disability manifested by muscle and nerve dysfunction of the jaw associated with left and right chin scars, status-post shell fragment wound, but denied a compensable rating for the left and right chin scars.

The appeal resulted in the denial of service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety, and head and left leg scars. The claim for service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was reopened but not granted on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate condition, hypertension, a gunshot wound to the head, a scar associated with a gunshot wound to the head, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left ankle disability, and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face. The claims for service connection for various other disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder (MDD) is granted with a 100 percent disability rating effective December 18, 2018. The Board also grants TDIU from the same date.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for a surgical scar of the chest and denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension.