Scars decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of spinal stenosis and lower back scar, but denied a compensable rating for the lower back scar. The claim for an increased rating for spinal stenosis was remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of September 1, 2021, for service connection for the Veteran's thoracic spine, cervical spine, right foot, painful scar, status-post varicocele surgery, left lower abdomen, right knee, bilateral tinnitus, and right lower extremity neuropathy disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that there was no evidence of worsening or increase in severity within the year prior to April 9, 2021.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 1, 2023, for the 100 percent disability rating of lymphomatoid papulosis, to include mycosis fungoides, and painful scarring (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma).

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted an earlier effective date for one condition, but also remanded claims related to Parkinson's disease and certain SMC and DEA issues.

The Board remands the appeal to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the potential service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically focusing on the roles of PTSD and CAD in aggravating other conditions that contributed to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and scars status post-surgery residuals, as there was insufficient evidence to support that these conditions were related to his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and increased the disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to 70 percent. The claims for major depression, anxiety condition, and other increased ratings were denied.

The appeal for revision of the December 1, 1953 rating decision was granted to reflect a special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right hand. Other appeals were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and remanded issues related to initial ratings for scars associated with chronic urticaria.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for lumbar laminectomy scar residuals, restored the 30 percent rating for nephrectomy scar residuals, and denied a compensable rating for lumbar laminectomy scar residuals. The cervical spine claims were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for acne was granted, while the claims for scars on face, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome were denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's painful left thumb scar and remanded the claim for an increased rating for status post RCL repair left thumb MCP joint due to insufficient examination evidence.

The Board vacated its July 23, 2024 decision and granted an earlier effective date for the initial grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction to August 25, 2015. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for higher initial ratings for coronary artery disease with coronary artery bypass graft and coronary angioplasty and coronary surgical scars of the chest, abdomen, left upper extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and painful scarring on the face, as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 16, 2019.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and a compensable disability rating for his painful residual scar of right inguinal hernia repair.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for abdominal hysterectomy, residual scar due to a duty to assist error and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for a left forefoot amputation and found no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 2, 1972, rating decision.

The Board denied ratings in excess of the current levels for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and noncompensable right arm and left hand thumb scars. However, it granted separate 10 percent ratings for painful right and left hand thumb scars under Diagnostic Code 7804.