Scars Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for a new examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for a right great toe scar, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial compensable rating from January 1, 2002, to June 27, 2019, for bilateral preauricular scars as the evidence of record does not show that the Veteran's scars met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) with bypass graft as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, and granted a 20 percent disability rating from July 15, 2021 through February 15, 2023 for certain diabetic neuropathies, while denying earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, except for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability which were granted. The veteran was also granted service connection for hypertension.

The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease with stent placement, diabetes mellitus II, scarring of lungs and liver, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran through his attorney.

The Board granted restoration of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) effective June 1, 2021, and increased ratings for mid-sternum scar, left lower extremity (LLE) scar, and migraines to 10%, 20%, and 50% respectively, all effective October 26, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, scars, low back disability, left ankle disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, and left and right hip disabilities as the evidence did not show that the Veteran had these conditions or related symptoms during the appeal period.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for a higher rating and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to concerns regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner.

The Board remands the issue of a compensable rating for intra-abdominal (internal scarring) adhesions status post cesarean section and revision procedure due to a duty to assist error in the August 2025 VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, to include cognitive impairment, a gallbladder condition, to include residual abdominal scar from cholecystectomy, and a pulmonary condition, to include shortness of breath.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development and readjudication.

The appeal was denied due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance, while remanding the issue of service connection for a seizures disorder.

The Board denied higher ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, left and right knee strains, a left lower leg scar based on pain, a left lower leg scar based on underlying soft tissue damage, and adult acne with scarring.

The Board granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for painful surgical scars in the posterior trunk and a separate 10 percent disability rating for a painful surgical scar in the anterior trunk, effective from April 16, 2015. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from November 2, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain and a compensable rating for scars post-removal of squamous cell carcinomas, while remanding several other claims including diabetes mellitus, type II, diabetic neuropathies, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, left knee disability, traumatic brain injury with post-concussion syndrome migraines, and left hip disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of all claims currently pending before the Board, including those for an earlier effective date for hypothyroidism and higher ratings for various conditions.