Scars Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity, as there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities caused effective function remaining other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation with a prosthetic appliance.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of June 3, 2020, for the grants of service connection for breast carcinoma status post bilateral mastectomy with lymphedema, mastectomy scars, and special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of the breast.

The Board granted service connection for liposarcoma and its residuals, as well as entitlement to a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU), resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for Lisfranc's joint disruption of the left foot with surgical scar, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for acne scars and a separate 10 percent rating for painful acne scars.

The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining missing community care records and scheduling an examination to determine if the Veteran's alcohol use disorder is secondary to his service-connected painful scars of the right hand.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and chronic fatigue syndrome, but granted service connection for functional dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and bloating. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disability, back disability, and scars as secondary to knee or back surgery due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The claim for skin condition was remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a skin disability, to include scars and burns, for further development including making a formal finding on toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and obtaining an addendum medical advisory opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a scar on the right big toe region and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including right hip strain and right knee osteoarthritis. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The appeal for a higher (compensable) disability rating for anterior trunk surgical scars was dismissed due to the July 2025 rating decision merely implementing the Board's previous decision, which is not appealable.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, considering that his service-connected orthopedic disabilities and major depressive disorder contributed substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected scars and migraines, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The veteran withdrew all appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review them.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and denied increased ratings for various conditions, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for a pilonidal cyst scar from March 7, 2024 and granted TDIU.

The Board granted an effective date of April 30, 2020, for the award of service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied increased ratings for left foot cuneiform fracture, left lower extremity anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve impairment, and facial scars.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for COPD and a compensable disability rating for bilateral inguinal hernia surgical scars.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability (manifested as plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and hallux valgus) is service-connected. Bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for urethritis, left epididymitis, genital warts, Bell's palsy, and noncompensable evaluations for residuals of a fractured 5th digit, left hand, rhinitis, upper respiratory infections, and scar on the right index finger.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 25, 2020, for the award of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and scar, status post CABG procedure.