Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a left foot bunion and a compensable rating for a right big toe scar, while remanding several other issues including entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for right foot bunion deformity, ovarian cyst, persistent depressive disorder dysthymia (also claimed as generalized anxiety disorder), cervical strain, and superficial numbness, right distal outer ear.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a lower back scar and remanded the claim for an increased rating for a lower back disability due to an inadequate examination.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed forehead scar.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and chest scars.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the spinal stenosis surgery scar and denied a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis. The claim for right ear hearing loss was readjudicated based on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and scar on neck as secondary to a lumbar spine disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals, effective January 6, 2021.

The Veteran is entitled to service connection for prostate cancer, lower abdominal surgical scar, and erectile dysfunction from September 24, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for right lower and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. However, the TDIU was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a temporary 100 percent rating from April 14, 2021, through May 31, 2021, and a minimum 30 percent thereafter for the Veteran's right hip status post arthroplasty.

The appeal for service connection for head trauma, headaches, GERD, and thumbnail scarring was dismissed due to the Veteran's untimely submission of a notice of disagreement (NOD) within one year of the rating decisions.

The appeal for increased ratings was denied, but earlier effective dates were granted for service connection related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left lower extremity were granted a 20 percent rating from October 27, 2020, to November 10, 2023; his painful scar was granted a 10 percent rating and noncompensable scars were granted from October 27, 2020, to September 16, 2023.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied, while other claims were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a scar from smallpox vaccination to correct a duty to assist error related to obtaining complete service treatment records, including immunization/vaccination records.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for pain and limited use of jaw, eye pain, scars status post facial surgical repair, plates in entire face status post surgical repair, and scars of the face and head.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, penile disability, penile scarring disability, and insomnia as these conditions were not incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of August 25, 2021, but no earlier, for service connection for keloid scars and a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The veteran withdrew all appeals for increased disability ratings, and the Board dismissed them.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied higher ratings for the Veteran's right ankle, left upper extremity scar, right upper extremity scar, and posterior trunk scar.