Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues related to reduction in disability rating for hypothyroidism, compensable rating for residual scar, and discontinuation of SMC.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected left hip residual scar, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Additionally, he is eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for painful folliculitis scars, effective July 30, 2019, finding that the Veteran's scars are painful and warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right long finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5229.,The Veteran's right ring finger disability is currently rated at noncompensable (zero percent), which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5230.,The scars on the neck and upper back area are not productive of visible or palpable tissue loss, gross distortion, or asymmetry. Therefore, they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been dismissed as the issue was fully granted through the appeal period.,The criteria for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability in excess of 40 percent prior to August 16, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter are not met. The Veteran does not have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's lumbar spine scar is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7805 due to its small size.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, and TIA, rendered her unemployable from July 29, 2008, to May 5, 2022.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis is rated at 10 percent due to three or less non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are rated at 30 percent, as they meet the criteria for severe bilateral flatfoot with objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.).,The Veteran's right hip strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to normal range of motion.,The Veteran's left knee painful scar and anterior patella scar status post meniscus/ACL repair do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are both rated at 10 percent (compensable).,The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal repair does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to flexion to no less than 100 degrees, locking, and pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability and GERD, made him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the earlier effective dates for service connection of burn scars and painful scars on both upper extremities. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left elbow and left knee scars have been denied.,Initial ratings more than 10 percent for painful scars and tinnitus have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is remanded for further review of some issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal regarding a reduction in disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for his right lower extremity scar disability. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 23, 2019. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective October 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the Board found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) grants due to his existing conditions and ratings.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthroscopic labral tear repair with residual pain and decreased range of motion is granted a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher. Other conditions are denied or not rated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a service-connected condition resulting in allergic rhinitis, residual scars of the left shoulder, bilateral tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as adjustment disorder), a cervical and cervicothoracic region pain disorder, radicular pain of the right upper extremity, or chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim was also denied.