Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee scar associated with total left knee arthroplasty is denied. The claims of service connection for right knee and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.

The Board denied all claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is April 11, 2019.

The Board denied claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and residual scars status post lumbar laminectomy as the earliest effective dates are August 6, 2020, based on receipt of a VA 21-2680 Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to a failure to fully develop the scope of his service-connected disabilities and apply the correct criteria for skin conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating both the hernia and scar conditions, and thus remands these issues to obtain a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating effective August 19, 2024 for service-connected residuals for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scars (initially claimed as a dermatological disability at the face and bilateral hands) is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, right flank renal stone scar, and bladder cancer with nephrolithiasis and right ureteral stricture status post resection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for bladder cancer with nephrolithiasis and right ureteral stricture status post resection is granted from November 9, 2020.

The Veteran's scars on his face with hyperpigmentation are due to an allergic reaction caused by a fistulogram procedure at VA facilities, which was not reasonably foreseeable. The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for these scars.

The Board has granted service connection for a c-section scar due to pregnancy surgical complications, finding that the current disability is related to service. The other conditions (left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, hemorrhage residuals, IBS, and right ankle sprain) were denied as not being related to service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bowel incontinence and residuals scarring associated with a colon biopsy are denied, as is his claim for service connection for chronic headaches. His claims for lumbosacral strain and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed, and good cause has not been shown to accept the late filing.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for rhabdomyolysis is denied, and his service connection claims for other conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed all related claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee psoriatic arthritis, as well as her right hand, left hand, thoracolumbar psoriasis, and psoriasis scars of the elbows, hands, and ear are all granted. Her anemia, colon disability (claimed as polyps), breast disability (claimed as fibrocystic disease), and hypothyroidism claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right eye disability, including retinal detachment and chorioretinal scar. The claim will be adjudicated again with a new VA examination.