Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and related benefits, as no clear and unmistakable error was found in the prior rating decisions and the evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars on both arms, as there was no evidence of unstable or painful scars that would warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acne, hemorrhoids, a lung condition, migraine headaches, and scars from acne due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 8, 2020, to October 25, 2023, and also denied his claim for SMC from October 26, 2023.

The Board denied increased ratings for various disabilities and granted service connection for residuals of frostbite in the hands and sinusitis, while remanding several issues for further consideration.

The veteran's service from October 6, 2013 to October 5, 2017 is considered honorable for VA benefits purposes and he was granted service connection for hemorrhoids, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and surgical scars as secondary to CTS. However, his discharge from October 6, 2017 to November 25, 2020 bars him from receiving VA benefits.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and scar, s/p left lower lobectomy to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for a skin condition but denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claims regarding severance of service connection for posterior trunk scars.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for the postoperative scar on the right intercostal area, as it was painful but not unstable.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression/anxiety), finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether it is related to the Veteran's service.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine spondylosis, hypogonadism, and scars based on evidence of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

All appeals for initial ratings and service connection have been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board granted an effective date of July 31, 2020, for the award of service connection for anterior trunk scar and an initial 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, with the exception of a 10 percent rating for right Achilles tendon rupture.

The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches effective October 16, 2023, and service connection for adjustment disorder. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 12, 2021, for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and alcohol use disorder, but denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from June 20, 2023, for these conditions. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for service connection for superficial pustular cystic acne and acne scarring.

The Board granted an effective date of January 29, 2019, for the award of service connection for scar of the left lower quadrant of abdomen and a 70 percent rating for PTSD since August 28, 2019. The claims for increased ratings were denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU was denied.