Scars decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for a forehead scar. Other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for facial scars, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Board denied the claims for initial compensable disability ratings for right upper extremity and posterior trunk scars, but remanded the claims for increased initial disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and initial compensable disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy as well as service connection for a bilateral hand and finger condition due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disabilities and residuals of a ruptured stent in his left leg, finding no evidence that VA carelessness or negligence caused additional disability.

The Board denied service connection for left hand, right hand, and neck disorders, as well as denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, as well as an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for a painful scar on the left upper groin and denied a compensable rating for a left inguinal hernia status post repair with mesh.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and scars, secondary to inguinal hernia, but denied an initial compensable rating for the inguinal hernia. The decision also remanded the claim for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence was in approximate balance. Other claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and lumbosacral strain. The appeal was denied for facial scars, increased ratings for cervical spine DDD with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left knee meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tear with chondrosis, limited flexion, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to be unable to care for his daily personal needs without regular assistance from another person, warranting the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, except for granting a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease and a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for right hip, left hip, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right elbow conditions.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory condition with chest pain.,The Board denied initial compensable ratings for tinea unguium (onychomycosis) of toenails and upper extremity scars.,The Board remanded claims for dermatitis, bilateral hands and feet, bilateral pes planus, and acquired hemolytic anemia.

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

The Board granted an effective date of July 22, 2009, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, in partial remission with traumatic brain injury with residual neurocognitive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and left lower extremity shin scar, but denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. Several claims were remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for paresthesia of the lower lip and chin as untimely, denied service connection for an eating disorder and a compensable rating for deviated septum, and remanded claims for service connection for pericarditis, bruxism, and right index finger scar.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction in the evaluation for painful scars was dismissed as it is not an appealable decision.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address symptomatology and disfigurement related to the service-connected conditions.