Scars decisions — 2026

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable rating for a left ankle scar due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's upper left extremity scars and chronic left shoulder calcific tendonitis are rated, with the scars receiving a 20 percent rating and the tendonitis receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 22, 2012 to February 28, 2014 and November 1, 2014 to February 27, 2017. The Board granted TDIU for these periods.

The Board denied service connection for right-hand numbness, a right-hand scar, and a right-hand disability due to the lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and potential overlap of symptomatology.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including right hip pain, scar from surgery, migraines, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of June 24, 2019 for both a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates are tied due to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee scars have been granted a 10 percent rating effective June 10, 2021. The Veteran has also had his service connection for CFS, chronic sinusitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), sleep apnea, headaches, and gastrointestinal condition (GI) to include functional abdominal pain syndrome; right upper extremity neurological condition; left upper extremity neurological condition; allergic rhinitis; lumbosacral strain (back condition); and bilateral plantar fasciitis remanded for further review.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on his inability to perform activities of daily living and need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment. The VA will now evaluate whether participation in the PCAFC program is in the Veteran's best interest.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for her pilonidal cyst scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluations for a scar of the left parietal region and a painful and unstable scar of the left parietal region have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and chest scar due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to verify in-service exposure to environmental hazards or chemical agents. The Veteran claimed exposure to sodium chromate at Whiteman Airforce Base.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple nerve injuries, make it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, left hip replacement, and PTSD. The decision grants special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cholecystectomy residuals with GERD and compensable disability rating for cholecystectomy scars is granted. A 10 percent rating is assigned for the Veteran's cholecystectomy residuals with GERD, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for tinea pedis and denied all other claims due to lack of current disability related to pneumonia, and non-compensable ratings for the Veteran's scar disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, granting entitlement to SMC at the (l) rate.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of the disability ratings for his service-connected small ventral hernia and associated scars because the appeal was filed more than a year after the initial decision, which is beyond the one-year time limit to file an appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he had the necessary education, skills, and experience to obtain suitable employment. Therefore, VR&E benefits were denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating, but no higher.,Compensable ratings for the lower extremity scars are denied.,Service connection for prostate disorder (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is denied.