Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for residual, scar left medial thigh, status post gunshot wound is granted. The Veteran's PTSD with AUD, Moderate is rated at 70 percent and TDIU based on PTSD alone is granted. Service connection for hypertension, GERD, migraines, COPD, back disability, neck disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gunshot wound right buttock with sciatic nerve involvement (to include peripheral neuropathy right leg/foot), gunshot wound, left thigh, multiple painful scars bilateral lower extremities, and residuals, scar right buttock and lateral leg is remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability and dental disability have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for scars of the head, face, and neck is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and associated scars, finding that they are related to an injury sustained during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a combined effects opinion is necessary to sufficiently address the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin cancer, facial scars, impairment of cranial nerve V and VII, left eye condition with watering and dryness, and left shoulder pain due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2016 to November 12, 2018 and from January 1, 2019 to July 22, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 13, 2018, for the award of service connection for right knee scars and right knee disability. The appeal is based on a direct finding without any presumption or secondary linkage to another condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, COPD, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, OSA, left and right below knee amputations, bilateral lower extremity scars, and CAD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's spouse is seeking a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes based on his service-connected disabilities. The claim was previously denied, but the Board finds it should be remanded to consider the merits of the issue from the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to rely on his wife for assistance with daily activities, including dressing, bathing, and going up and down stairs. The Board found that the evidence is in balance and granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right foot hammer toes, as well as his lung nodules with scarring and atelectasis, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the scar in the coccyx area, finding it likely related to a spider bite during active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat service, and the claim for migraine headaches, low back disability, and right knee disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and right heel spur disability. The claim for readjudication of service connection for vitiligo (claimed as bilateral feet loss of pigmentation) is granted.,Service connection for right hand tenosynovitis (swelling in hands) and scarring and calcification of breasts related to breast reduction are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective September 18, 2023. Effective that date, the Veteran also becomes eligible for DEA benefits and has an effective date of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus and service connection for a vitamin D deficiency.,The appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted, but his right knee scar and bilateral hearing loss remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and a skin disorder to include scars and skin cancer due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of March 15, 2022. A TDIU was granted for this period.