Scars decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae residual anterior neck scars and depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome with MDD-like episode as they were already granted. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable disability rating for corneal scar of the right eye was denied. All other issues related to service connection were remanded.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for a compensable rating due to concurrent appeals.

The Board denied compensable evaluations for syncope, allergic rhinitis, migraines, bilateral ruptured ovarian cysts, and a chin scar. The claim for a left knee scar was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to restore prior ratings for eczema and acne with scarring, finding the reductions proper.

The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for a scar above the left eye was granted. The veteran will receive a 10 percent disability rating effective from October 8, 2021.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to procedural defects, specifically that the veteran's appeal was not filed within one year of the rating decisions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity shin splints, a right shoulder disorder, and initial compensable ratings for GERD and residual right thumb surgical scarring were denied. The claims for service connection for a cervical and/or thoracic spine disorder and a right foot disorder were remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance from October 27, 2011. This decision is based on the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, so he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC).

The VA denied service connection for scars resulting from a laparoscopic right partial nephrectomy, claiming they were secondary to kidney cancer surgery. The denial was based on the fact that the veteran's kidney cancer is not service-connected.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for the veteran's basal cell carcinoma scar and malignant melanoma scar, stating that the scars are not painful or unstable and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for various scars, finding that the criteria for such ratings were not met.

The veteran's surviving spouse was granted an earlier effective date of January 20, 1988 for service connection of coronary artery disease. However, the request for an earlier effective date and increased rating for a chest scar was denied.

The veteran's service-connected scar of the head is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, but no higher.

The veteran's service connection for left knee conditions was granted with an effective date of October 27, 2019. However, the claim for a compensable disability rating for a surgical scar was denied.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a scar on the right pinky finger due to errors in obtaining necessary records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with all relevant evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for scarring alopecia and dermatitis was granted. The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected scarring alopecia was remanded.

The veteran's service connection for left knee conditions was granted with an effective date of October 27, 2019. However, the claim for a compensable disability rating for a surgical scar was denied.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected disabilities and initial ratings in excess of the assigned percentages. An increased rating of 20 percent was granted for the right ankle disability. Claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities were denied. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches were denied. An increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for right foot pes planus was granted prior to August 10, 2023, and denied on and after that date. Other issues related to ratings and effective dates were also denied or remanded.