Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her left hip scars has been dismissed as she withdrew the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to her service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's scar on the neck is granted a 10 percent rating. The claim for service connection of gastrointestinal disorder to include IBS and GERD is denied.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia repair scars have been granted a 20% rating effective July 17, 2024.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for prostatectomy scars under DC 7804 is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 10 percent for surgical scars, status post lumbar spine fusion, effective December 8, 2020, was granted. The AOJ did not consider whether the earlier effective date of December 8, 2020, should have been applied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and bilateral knee conditions, have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the period beginning April 5, 2020.

The Veteran's tinea pedis, left back scar, and allergic rhinitis are not rated higher than the current noncompensable ratings.,Service connection for sinusitis, right achilles tendon strain, depression, and sleep disturbances is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right knee scar is denied, and his residuals of lumbar strain are granted a 20 percent disability rating effective June 10, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was granted with an effective date of January 5, 2022.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss and midsternal chest scar were denied as the earliest possible effective dates are January 5, 2022.,Claim for left lower extremity scar was also denied as the earliest possible effective dates are January 5, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for SMC is granted, effective February 1, 2021. The decision is based on the combination of his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities that independently rate at least 60 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an initial compensable rating for scar, lower lumbar spine. The cervical spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for the period of February 27, 2014, to January 14, 2019, and from September 1, 2020.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The claims for a left wrist cyst, left wrist scar, and right hip disability are remanded. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence, bladder incontinence, and peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity (including foot drop and Morton's neuroma) have been granted SMC(l), SMC(o), and SMC(r)(1).

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including migraines, traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, facial scarring, back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, acne, chest and back scars, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on her need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. The VA will now consider whether participation in the PCAFC program is in her best interest.

The Veteran's hypertension, scar from Crohn's surgery, and Crohn's disease with irritable bowel syndrome are granted. Headaches secondary to fatigue and anxiety as secondary to Crohn's disease are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's low back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The left lower extremity scar and bilateral hydroceles with right epididymal cyst do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for clarification of his employment history during the period on appeal.,Issues regarding effective dates and service connection are addressed, with some issues being granted.