Scars decisions — 2025

The appeal for an effective date prior to May 30, 2008, for the grant of service connection for a head scar was dismissed due to untimeliness and non-compliance with claims processing rules.

The Board granted service connection for an eye disability, diagnosed as a left eye peripheral corneal scar and bilateral dry dye syndrome.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection and a compensable rating due to untimely filings or deferrals.

The Board denied an increased rating for right knee limitation of flexion but granted a separate 10 percent rating for the meniscal condition. The claims for shin pain and bilateral shins scars were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial, compensable disability rating for service-connected scars on her anterior trunk.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, effective May 1, 2024, due to an improper reduction in rating without following proper procedural guidelines.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right eye corneal scar with bilateral dry eye syndrome, prior to October 1, 2014.

The Board remands the claims for increased disability ratings for various burn and painful scars of the lower extremities to obtain a retrospective medical opinion.

The Board remands the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 10, 2021 for further development.

The Board denied the claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, as the Veteran was not receiving or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions, finding that no evidence supported an earlier date of claim or entitlement.

The Board granted service connection for a stomach scar but denied initial compensable ratings for back and right shoulder scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a compensable rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypertension, scars status post radical prostatectomy, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer status post prostatectomy. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a three inch scar of the right leg and groin pain and swelling due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for trochanteric pain syndrome of bilateral hips, bilateral ankle sprain, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of bilateral knees. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, broken teeth, scar to chin, and infection, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shortness of breath with chronic cough, right ankle limitation of motion, hemorrhoids, and laceration scar due to insufficient evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board granted an effective date of March 8, 2022, for the grant of a 30 percent rating for ovarian cysts and November 30, 2020, for the grants of service connection for anterior abdominal scar and painful anterior abdominal scar. The claim for special monthly compensation was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and dermatitis while granting a 20% rating for the left ankle disability and a 10% rating for the right great toe scar. The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also denied.