Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history, leading to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 21, 2013 for the grant of a 10 percent increased rating for scars, residuals of mole removal is granted based on his testimony regarding past symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of congestive heart failure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with CABG, as well as residual scarring status-post CABG. The effective date was set at September 9, 2024.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, specifically chorioretinal scars with diplopia, is now rated at 30 percent effective from the date of claim (July 30, 2014).

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Veteran's left knee scar and tendonitis/tendinosis are service-connected, with the left knee tendonitis/tendinosis resulting in a compensable rating of 20 percent for limitation of extension. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression (claimed as acquired psychiatric condition/mental condition) is denied due to lack of a formal or informal claim prior to September 25, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied because he did not meet the statutory requirement of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities rated at 60%.,The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility to DEA is denied as his TDIU was not based on a single disability, thus failing to satisfy the statutory requirement of a total rating for purposes of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).,Claims for increased ratings for left and right knee surgical scars are denied due to noncompensable (zero percent) ratings under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left ankle surgical scars has been denied. The claims for service connection of GERD and OSA, secondary to PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar of the right hand is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals on earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an upper right arm burn scar, and tinnitus. The claims for initial compensable ratings for PTSD and tension headaches were not addressed as they remained in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is denied because the evidence does not show that he requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision, as the claims were not related to service connection.

The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for his painful scar right foot was denied, but he received an increased rating of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis from October 21, 2019.,From October 21, 2019, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent initial rating for service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, status post right fasciotomy.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's post-operative left inguinal hernia and abdominal scar, but has remanded the issue of service connection for COPD due to a predecisional duty to assist error. The COPD claim is now pending with instructions on how to obtain a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral flat feet and the reduction in rating for scar, left hip residual have been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The reduction of the disability rating for his right lower extremity painful scars from 30 percent to 20 percent, effective October 16, 2020, was found improper and restored.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not addressing whether the October 2020 CUE motion also included an assertion of entitlement to a compensable rating for scar on the left great toe. The AOJ must review and provide determination regarding the Veteran's request for revision of the May 1997 rating decision, alleging failure to assign a compensable rating for scar on the left great toe, on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection on all listed conditions are not before the Board.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including thoracic strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a compensable rating for anterior trunk scars.,There was no evidence to support the claim that OSA began during or is otherwise related to active service, including toxic exposure risk activities.