Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, nor does he meet the criteria for a compensable rating for right elbow scars.,Effective date claims were also denied as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to August 4, 2014 involving service connection for either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's left thigh scar, status-post femur fracture and repair is rated noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7802. The Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right clavicle mid-shaft fracture residuals are currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201, which addresses limitation of motion of the arm. The Board does not find any basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent with additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is able to perform most of his activities of daily living independently.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is being remanded as there was no examination provided, and the examiner did not address all elements of secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition is being remanded as there was no examination provided, and the examiner did not address all elements of secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for rectal cancer is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fracture right leg remains, to include as secondary to the service-connected left leg varicose veins, is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins, right leg is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hand arthritis is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizures is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in right knee is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in left knee is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in right hip is being remanded due to procedural issues with the examinations conducted.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the specific legal criteria required to establish eligibility for these benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a corneal scar, residual of a left eye injury. Service connection was not established for diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's burn scars of the right abdomen, forearm, and thigh are rated at 10 percent effective March 29, 2019. The rating for neurological impairment due to burn scars of the right upper extremity is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The rating for neurological impairment due to burn scars of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) and external cutaneous nerve are both rated at noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for facial scars, status post PFB due to a duty to assist error. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate examiner to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of his facial scars during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% evaluation of his painful scars on the right buttock and lower/mid-thoracic areas, finding that the evidence did not establish that the scars were painful prior to June 29, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for lateral scar left ankle was granted by the AOJ in December 2025.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a new VA medical opinion due to an inadequate previous opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, migraines, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and scars associated with CAD, have rendered him unemployable prior to July 29, 2025. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,A compensable rating for hypertension is denied.,A 10 percent rating for the Veteran's scar related to his colon cancer surgery is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the assignment of monetary benefits.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left forearm, right forearm, and chest scars have been denied.,Both lower extremity peripheral vascular diseases are granted as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Veteran's prescribed topical skin medication, triamcinolone cream, caused irreparable damage to his clothing and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2020 based on this.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma with residual scars, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's conditions are linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee scar is being remanded for a new examination to determine its current severity.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC was not legally adequate due to an insufficient medical opinion, and therefore remanded the case.