Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and current diagnosis.,The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is granted due to presumptive service connection for exposure at Fort McClellan, Alabama.,The Veteran's status post total shoulder replacement, to include degenerative arthritis, is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's scar, residual right shoulder surgery, is granted as it is related to his now service-connected status post total shoulder replacement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip disability and other conditions like atrial fibrillation, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. He has been granted a total disability rating and statutory special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee scar, and erectile dysfunction have been granted a 10 percent rating each. The effective date for these awards is January 1, 2025. An earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, seizure disorder, right great toe and right second toe disabilities, and left knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA-scheduled aid and attendance/housebound examination to determine eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner must address specific questions regarding the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities, including dressing, feeding, attending to personal hygiene, protection from environmental hazards, and confinement.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues related to erectile dysfunction and bowel dysfunction.

The Veteran's mumps residuals claim is denied as there is no probative evidence of an in-service infection or related skin issues.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left leg injury claims are denied due to lack of service connection. The COPD claim is granted based on presumptive exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.

The VA denied an initial compensable disability rating for the appellant's right shoulder scars, as the evidence did not show that the area of the scars met or more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7802.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, and foot conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The appeals are either not granted or the maximum rating has already been assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and ileocecal valve scarring.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but his service-connected persistent depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss and both ankle conditions are denied. The Veteran's right ankle scar tissue damage is granted a non-compensable rating, while the painful scars receive a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and lymphedema, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 29, 2020. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, as evidenced by his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and manage his daily medications. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC(l).

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's hammer toes of the left foot and right foot are not rated higher than the current rating, and his scars of both feet do not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection for RLE radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's hypertension and left knee scar are not rated compensably. The claims for increased ratings for right great toe degenerative disease and left great toe degenerative disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.