Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a separate evaluation of painful scarring associated with bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. The Board finds that the RO failed to consider this claim in its initial decision and remands it for further action.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar, status post right elbow surgery is denied.,Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent and a compensable rating for painful motion of the right knee are also denied. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his right knee condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining necessary private treatment records and a muscle examination.

The appeal regarding entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right thigh condition, right shoulder condition, and right clavicle scar are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's scar of the right thumb, PFB, and hypertension were all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,Specifically, the Veteran's scar does not exceed 144 square inches in area. His PFB affects less than 5% of his entire body and exposed areas without requiring systemic therapy. His hypertension has required continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his spine and lower extremity neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 3, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar strain, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteomalacia, and onychomycosis on bilateral toenails are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's melanoma removal scar is not at least 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) in area, so a compensable rating for this condition is denied.,Service connection has been granted for right hip strain, left hip strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain based on the persuasive balance of evidence supporting their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of scar, forehead secondary to his service-connected TBI. The earliest allowable effective date has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right wrist scar was denied. He is now granted an effective date of September 1, 2016.,His request for a higher rating than 10 percent for the same condition remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for surgical scars right first toe due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to address her current disability picture.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for various skin conditions, hearing loss, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease and residual scar status post appendix removal were not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, but the other issues remained denied or not met.,Service connection was denied for left hand disability, skin cancer, heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, low back disability, and sleep disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral inguinal hernia repair residuals and pain medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to the need for medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claims prior to promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his inguinal hernia was withdrawn.,An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, and ratings of 10 percent each for eyebrow/forehead scarring and prostatitis were granted. The right foot disability received a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right hand scar, right carpel tunnel syndrome (claimed as right hand neuropathy), and left carpel tunnel syndrome are all granted with a 10% disability rating. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also granted secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's right hand disability remains remanded for further evaluation.