The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma involving disfigurement of the face prior to May 28, 2019 is granted. The claim for a higher rating for facial scars that are unstable and/or painful beginning June 9, 2022 is granted. Claims for increased ratings for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma involving the anterior trunk and posterior trunk/left upper extremity are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's facial scars meet two characteristics of disfigurement, warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7800. The claim for a higher rating for unstable and painful scars is granted, resulting in a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 18, 2022
- Citation
- 22064919
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 22064919.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a skin disability, to include basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, stucco keratosis, and seborrheic keratosis, as well as a right thoracic back circular scar, to include as secondary to treatment for basal cell carcinoma.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma, leukocytosis, and liver condition but granted reinstatement of a 40% rating for right and left knee limitations of extension effective November 1, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for basal cell carcinoma and granted a separate 10 percent rating for a painful scar.
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