Scars decisions — 2026

The Board dismissed the proposed severances of service connection for various skin disorders and multiple postoperative scars, as well as the discontinuance of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart disability and diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to their combined effects on his physical abilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of April 12, 2022, but no earlier, for service connection of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (RLPAD), Left Foot Little and Third Toe Amputation, Left Foot Great Toe Amputation, and Left Lower Extremity Residual Surgical Scars.

The Veteran's initial ratings for kidney cancer and scarring from treatment have been denied as there is no evidence of compensable residual conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for eligibility to specially adapted housing (SAH) and special home adaptation (SHA) due to unclear findings regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of one or more upper and/or lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective February 26, 2024. The increase in disability during the one-year period prior to this date rendered him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable and increased ratings for his left ear scar, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent disability rating for residual scars, status post splenectomy and gall bladder surgery is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for back disability due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, scar from radical prostatectomy, and erectile dysfunction are now service-connected. Effective dates have not been set as the claim is still pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm scar tissue and bumps, migraine headache disability, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and sleep paralysis as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Board is unable to make a determination on these issues as more information is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis/scarring of liver is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that she had such a condition during her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and front neck scar have been dismissed. The appeal of the proposed reduction in rating for service-connected bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy has also been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for retroactive compensation from December 1, 2008, to November 14, 2022, as VA properly calculated his combined disability evaluations and there is no unpaid compensation due.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to June 9, 2023, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

An earlier effective date of September 8, 1994, for a 10 percent rating for scar of the forehead is granted. An initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease prior to August 24, 2023, is denied. A grant of service connection for painful scar of the forehead effective September 16, 2021, and an initial 40 percent rating from August 24, 2023, are granted.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a service-connected residual scar of the left foot, finding that it is not painful or unstable and does not cause any functional impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for other specified trauma or stressor related disorder, PTSD, dermatitis, and cyst removal scar are all granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of other specified trauma or stressor related disorder that is related to in-service stressors. Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria. Service connection for dermatitis and cyst removal scar is denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.