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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, basal cell carcinoma, bilateral pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis (bilateral eye conditions), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, basal cell carcinoma, bilateral pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis (bilateral eye conditions), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The other conditions are granted with service connection based on in-service exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his skin cancer and scar condition was denied as the evidence did not show that the disability more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under any other diagnostic code.
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