Scars decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for DEA, service connection for various scars, and CAD, all based on the Veteran's Intent to File (ITF) received on August 28, 2020.

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating for scars of the lateral side of the neck and left lateral side of the face, as well as a higher rating for tender scars of the lateral side of the neck.

The Board granted service connection for right and left-hand punji stick injury scar residuals, but denied service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disability, to include lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and lumbar myositis, as well as for recurrent right and left leg injury residuals disabilities. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a disability evaluation to be assigned for the Veteran's right hip scar and to adjudicate his TDIU claim.

The Board remands the case for a new examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected Dupuytren's contracture and to address whether Diagnostic Code 5308 or separate ratings for any additional fingers are warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and appendectomy residuals, to include scaring.

The Board granted an effective date of April 26, 2021, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease and dependency benefits for F.W., but denied earlier effective dates for chest scarring and a scar on the left medial distal thigh, as well as higher ratings for coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual surgical scars, hiatal hernia status post Nissen fundoplication as there was no evidence of painful or unstable scars, and the area did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for obesity, a left shoulder disability, hypertension, lung scarring, a right-hand disability, and a left foot disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The veteran withdrew all appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this appeal.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for painful cesarean section scars, but the claims for service connection for frost bite in both feet were remanded.

The Veteran's disability for a painful scar, chin was granted an increased rating of 40 percent from August 2, 2019. The effective date for the earlier increased ratings for scars, face and head were granted as April 30, 2022, but denied prior to May 3, 2022.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 3, 2021, for service connection for COPD, colon cancer, colectomy scar, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, denied increased ratings for the right foot stress fracture and scars, restored a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and denied earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA. The Board remanded claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and increased evaluations for the low back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for anxiety disorder, acne, heart palpitations/mitral valve prolapse, irritable bowel syndrome and esophagitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective April 1, 2017. It denied an earlier effective date for migraines, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus.

The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for five painful scars and a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 25, 2020. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and right foot strain effective January 28, 2022, but denied service connection for the other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for scarring of the nose and TMJ (also claimed as painful joints) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several issues, including service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and scars, and remanded the claim for service connection for a left hip condition.