Scars decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, thoracic strain, right posterior lyric lesion SI joint, dextroscoliosis, scarring/atelectasis of left lower lobe, nonspecific mild pulmonary hyperinflation, pleural effusion, residuals of COVID-19, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied, but the claim for TDIU from December 15, 2020 to September 1, 2022 was granted.

The veteran's claim for lumbosacral strain is being reopened due to new evidence. The claim for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted and dismissed from appeal. Other claims, including those for a right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, and left upper chest scar, are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing (SAH) and special home adaptation grant (SHA) was denied because his service-connected conditions do not meet the required criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the service-connected disabilities, either alone or in combination, did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and increased ratings for left knee conditions were denied. Claims for right knee condition, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU were remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for erectile dysfunction and surgical scar was denied. A 10% rating was granted for right hip thigh impairment with degenerative arthritis. Claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and left knee disability were remanded.

The Board remands the service connection claim for facial scars to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a scar on the Veteran's scalp region, finding that the scar was from an accident in November 2005, after his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia, a compensable rating for scar due to right hernia repair, and referral of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the appeals for restoration of service connection for supraclavicular nodule, sarcoma and supraclavicular surgical scar, as well as discontinuance of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's scar of the left great toe and remanded several other issues, including character of discharge and service connection claims.

The Board remands the claims for a right knee disability and scars (burn), right arm, as the previous VA opinions were found to be inadequate.

The appeal for service connection for acne scarring was dismissed because there was no rating decision that could be appealed under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle disability, tinea corporis, and right forearm scars.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety; burn scar(s), face, legs, chest, and right arm; and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae with hidradenitis suppurativa, left axillary scar, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for a chest scar but the claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and service connection for COPD are remanded.

The veteran was granted a 30% rating for IBS and right ovarian endometrioma. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral fallopian tube scars as secondary conditions. Service connection for eyesight disability and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and TDIU were remanded.