Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to June 10, 2025, for left index finger scar and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residual of left index finger laceration.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 7, 2020 for the award of service connection and denied a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his metastatic rectal carcinoma.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and related disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and rating claims, resulting in the dismissal of each claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for facial scarring and a compensable rating for vertigo, as the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions and denied higher initial ratings for several service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an effective date of October 24, 2022, for obstructive sleep apnea. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for tinnitus, corneal scar of the right eye with cataract and pinguecula, and PTSD, but remanded a claim for service connection for a skin disorder.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of focal mild squamous epithelial dysplasia and condylomatous changes with atypical squamous metaplasia post total abdominal hysterectomy, gallbladder cholecystectomy, cholecystectomy scar, hypothyroidism, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on anatomical loss of creative organ. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) and anemia was also granted.

The Board granted a 10 percent initial rating for residual scars from basal cell carcinoma and service connection for chronic kidney disease, which was caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertensive vascular disease. The claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches were remanded.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for oral trauma residuals, to include mouth injury and scar, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for an ulcer and an abdominal scar, secondary to the ulcer, based on the Veteran's participation in a toxic risk exposure activity (TERA) during his military service.

The appeal for service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hip arthroplasties and scars did not meet the criteria for higher ratings, and remanded the claim for epididymitis.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's scars associated with hernia surgery, effective June 14, 2024, and dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for right hand tremors as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder with traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for his residual scar from lipoma removal surgery and multiple lipomas, as the evidence did not support an area of 144 square inches or greater.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a painful scar, residual of left inguinal hernia surgery due to his failure to attend a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for additional scars of the penis and an increased rating for scars of the right ankle and penis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board restored the 40% rating for IVDS and denied a compensable rating for the mid-back scar. The claims for higher ratings and TDIU were remanded for further development.