Scars decisions — 2025

The veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and left eye scotoma was denied. An increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of retinal scar of the left eye was also denied, but a separate 10 percent disability rating for left eye postoperative cataract was granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left eye glaucoma was remanded.

Service connection for glucose intolerance, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, foot rash, neck disorder, peripheral artery disease, GERD, and headache disorder is denied. Service connection for groin rash is granted. Increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, surgical scars, and prostatitis is denied. Initial rating of 10% for hypertension and 20% for benign prostatic hyperplasia is granted. Effective date for 20% rating for benign prostatic hyperplasia is April 14, 2023.,The Board remanded the effective date prior to August 10, 2022 for service connection for hypertension based on a theory other than presumptive under the PACT Act. The Board also remanded claims for right knee disorder, right hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied higher ratings for tinnitus, hearing loss, and leg scars but remanded decisions on other conditions.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for her eye surgery scars and related benefits due to inconsistencies in exam findings and unaddressed extraschedular considerations.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for various foot conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that her service-connected back disorder or left lower extremity radiculopathy alone would prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 8, 2009. The evidence did not show that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

Service connection for the left ankle disability and scars from cyst removal on head is granted. All other conditions are either denied or remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, scars, and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions but granted it for right hip disability and assigned a 20 percent rating for right knee instability. Some issues were remanded.

The Board granted the Veteran's attorney fees of 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded in a March 2023 rating decision. The appeal was based on increased evaluations for unspecified anxiety disorder and CABG.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic interstitial lung disease were granted under the PACT Act. A compensable rating of at least 10 percent was also granted for photophobia and vitreous floaters.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, effective September 15, 2021.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 11, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted starting from December 31, 2015. The issue of TDIU prior to this date was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not attributable to service.

The veteran is granted an effective date of October 22, 2008 for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, GERD, IBS, right ankle condition, anxiety, and depression. It remanded decisions on tinnitus, right index finger, right thumb condition, and scars.

The veteran's service connection for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and related conditions was granted. Service connection for cataracts was denied, and issues regarding dry mouth and teeth removal were remanded.