The Veteran's disability for a painful scar, chin was granted an increased rating of 40 percent from August 2, 2019. The effective date for the earlier increased ratings for scars, face and head were granted as April 30, 2022, but denied prior to May 3, 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record supported an increase in the rating due to the presence of five or more unstable and painful scars on the chin and six characteristics of disfigurement for the face and head. The adjustment disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 3, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- painful scar, chin, scars, face and head, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25029633
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 910 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25029633.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% evaluation effective from April 8, 2021. The disability causes total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Board has restored the 10 percent disability rating for an adjustment disorder and the 20 percent disability rating for a back condition, effective June 1, 2025. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent from October 31, 2023. Service connection for IBS and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, OSA, and a low back disability must be remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
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