Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and granted an initial evaluation of 19 percent, but no higher, for lip strain with scar. The decision also granted a rating in excess of 30 percent disabling for post-traumatic headaches prior to February 21, 2017, and denied a rating in excess of 70 percent disabling for TBI from October 24, 2023.

The Board granted an effective date of March 31, 2016, for the award of TDIU based on a finding that the Veteran detrimentally relied on misleading VA communications.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating for actinic keratosis and scalp scars due to new evidence that was not available during the previous VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and an initial 10 percent rating for a scar of the left upper extremity associated with left wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but denied higher ratings and separate ratings for other knee and thumb disabilities.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and service connection, including for allergic rhinitis, bladder condition, COPD, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and hypertension.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury with vertigo and 30 percent for migraine headaches, while denying a compensable rating for right orbital bone status post blowout fracture and a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and upper lip scar disabilities to obtain complete medical examinations and adequate opinions for rating purposes.

The Board granted service connection for LEFT 4th toe amputations and a 'painful' post-surgical LEFT foot dorsum scar as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a LEFT ankle sprain with degenerative changes and Achilles' tendonitis, restored the 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected LEFT ankle disability, and granted an additional 10 percent rating for degenerative changes of the LEFT foot.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual scarring, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for posterior gunshot wounds involving muscle group XX, and for compensable ratings for residual scars from posterior gunshot wounds and a right upper buttock gunshot wound scar due to deficiencies in the record.

The appeal of the finding of a duty to assist (DTA) error during higher-level review (HLR) for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the February 26, 2024 VA letter informing the Veteran that he must use the proper Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) form for readjudication of his claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis were dismissed. The appeal of service connection for sinusitis and spine-related paresthesia was denied, while claims for other conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for depression, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and headaches. The appeal regarding the issue of service connection for headaches was dismissed due to a procedural defect. Colon cancer, status post colectomy as secondary to colon cancer, and abdominal scar status post colectomy were remanded for initial AOJ consideration.

The Board remands the matters of an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoid and service connection for a scar, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability due to inadequate VA examination and missing medical records.

The Board readjudicated the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disability, and a skin disability based on new and relevant evidence. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep impairment, hypertension, impaired vision, residual disability from vasectomy, and a compensable rating for scars were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for a right wrist disability, painful scars of the left ring finger and right wrist, right wrist scar, left ring finger scar, and left ring finger disability, status post ganglion cyst removal.

The Board granted service connection for facial scarring and remanded the claims for a left knee condition and a left foot condition.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids and scarring to correct pre-decisional errors in the AOJ's efforts to fulfill its duty to assist the appellant with the development of her claims.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of left hand cyst removal, and left hand scarring status post cyst removal. The claim for painful joints was dismissed as moot.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS, a scar associated with it, and dismissed claims for other conditions.