Scars decisions — 2026

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 21, 2020 for the grants of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer scar. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further action on downstream issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars was denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating is appropriate as the scars are less than 929 square centimeters and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left-knee scars and facial scars are granted with specific ratings. Bilateral hearing loss is denied, but service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's left hip scar was awarded an effective date of January 4, 2017.,A 10 percent rating for the left hip scar is granted prior to January 2, 2022.,TDIU was denied prior to January 2, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted with effective dates of June 29, 2015. The Veteran is rated at 100% for his coronary artery disease and TERA participation.

The Veteran's service-connected lupus and related conditions render her in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service connection claims for breast cancer, mastectomy, neuropathy, port scar, and mastectomy scar are granted as secondary to her service-connected breast cancer.

The Veteran's right clavicle fracture repair with scarring is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating higher than this level.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability were granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine surgical scars is granted, with the effective date set at September 15, 2023. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased disability rating for his lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant eligibility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right knee scar. The RO must attempt to obtain all available private treatment records from the Tennessee Orthopedic Clinic.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her right and left foot scars, finding that the evidence did not show an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board will consider any new evidence obtained from the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his scars and total knee arthroplasty, is rated at a maximum of 60 percent effective September 1, 2023.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 1, 2025, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was precluded from employment solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for hypertension and TDIU are also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 50 percent for status post right shoulder reconstruction, limitation of motion with unfavorable ankylosis and for painful scar status post right shoulder reconstruction have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing from appellate consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 24, 2025, for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for painful chest scar. The Board found that there was no increase in severity of the disability within one year prior to June 24, 2025.