Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's glabella scar and remanded the claim for service connection for migraines.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 17, 2021 for the grant of entitlement to individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and restored a 50 percent rating for other unspecified anxiety disorder and a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral foot scars as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into a VR&E program for additional education to prepare for suitable employment in healthcare or finance, as he was found not to have an employment handicap.

The Board denied service connection for a molluscum skin condition, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and fungal infection on scar due to the lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses or a nexus to service. The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, shin splints, left, shin splints, right, and tinea pedis were remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent disability rating for his skin disability and a separate 10 percent rating for scarring of bilateral facial cheeks due to chloracne, effective July 14, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a gynecological disability, heart disability, and bilateral knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a disability rating of 50 percent, while his scars were denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including bowel incontinence.

The Board granted an effective date of June 1, 2016 for the award of service connection for anterior left scalp line and left chin scars, residual of acne.

The Board denied increased ratings for generalized seizure disorder, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and scars, but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease in the left and right ankles.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for right orchiectomy and mass removal status post testicle cancer, a compensable initial rating for scar from right orchiectomy and mass removal of seminoma associated with right orchiectomy and mass removal status post testicle cancer, and a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including non-allergic rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, and remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and restored the 10 percent disability rating for service-connected painful residuals of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, right clavicular area, and right thigh skin graft scar. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, except for an initial 10% rating for neuropathy of the peroneal nerve in the right lower extremity.

The appeal for service connection of multiple conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, knee, and foot conditions, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand condition, anxiety, and migraine (headaches) and assigned noncompensable ratings for the Veteran's left hand disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right elbow condition, right shoulder condition, burn scar(s), low back condition, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to pre-decisional errors in not verifying periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with various reserve units and in obtaining adequate medical examinations.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to September 18, 2019, and 20 percent from that date for laminectomy anterior fusion with discectomy/disc spacer with plate and screw fixation, discectomy at C4, C5 and C6. However, an initial rating of 30 percent was granted for a neck scar from June 10, 2020.