Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's compensable ratings for groin and perianal scars are denied as the surface areas of the scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7802.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for adult-onset Still's disease, vocal cord paralysis, scars, anterior neck, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran is presumed to have had these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ear cholesteatoma and an initial compensable disability rating for right ear chronic otitis media has been dismissed.,The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is granted with a 30 percent disability rating, but no higher.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his need for assistance with bathing/showering, tending to hygiene needs, eating or self-feeding, transferring in or out of a bed/chair, dressing, toileting, ambulating with his home or living area, and medication management.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not establish the factual need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status prior to December 7, 2020. The Board found that the evidence does not support that he is in need of aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's basilar atelectasis/scar of left lung resulted in FEV-1 between 56 to 70 percent predicted, or DLCO between 56 to 65 percent predicted from December 12, 2019 onward. The Board granted a 30% rating for this condition starting from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial compensable/increased ratings for scars of the neck area, anterior chest, and posterior chest due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate from August 1, 2019, to October 7, 2021, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating claims related to various knee and foot disabilities, including scar from a bunionectomy. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation, including based on an intermediate step increase.

Effective August 26, 2023, the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation at the rate intermediate between 38 U.S.C. 1114(m) and 38 U.S.C. 1114(n) (M12) is granted, subject to law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Additionally, a 30 percent rating for service-connected migraines is granted effective August 26, 2023.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a compensable disability rating for left ankle scars, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 31, 2024.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's renal cancer and surgical scar are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his dementia, which is not service-connected.

An effective date of February 10, 2004, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is granted.,An effective date of December 12, 2019, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as his diabetes required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent during the period on appeal. For TDIU, the Veteran was granted from January 18, 2011, based on service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbe, left big toe scar, and hypertension as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for his left index finger scar is granted. The appeal to grant service connection for hepatic steatosis is dismissed as the Veteran did not file a written statement of disagreement within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his hip conditions and neuropathy, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that he is permanently housebound due to these disabilities.