Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran is not eligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) as he can independently perform all activities of daily living without requiring personal care services and is not in need of supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residual linear scars post mastectomy, finding that the evidence does not show an area or areas of at least 144 square inches (929 square centimeters) as required for a higher rating under DC 7802.

The Board has granted service connection for a burn scar on the left side of the neck, but denied service connection for bilateral eyesight loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for severe abrasions of the left arm was denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scar, left arm was also denied.,Service connection for head injury due to motor vehicle accident (claimed as gliosis of left motor strip, sleeping trouble, and memory loss) was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with cannabis use disorder and radiculopathies of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 24, 2014. Effective that date, he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Veteran's TDIU claim from July 1, 2011 is also granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period from April 2, 2016, to November 1, 2022, due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has restored service connection for epididymitis and remanded the cases of testicular scars, erectile dysfunction, and ilioinguinal nerve neuropathy associated with erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right 4th finger scar, finding that it does not cover at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.).

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, chest scar, and left arm scar as they are related to service. The AOJ is required to obtain additional information about the Veteran's military status and provide appropriate VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, residuals of a stroke, heart disease, anterior chest scar due to coronary artery bypass graft surgery, left lower extremity scar due to coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and PTSD as they were not properly appealed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and his ability to independently ambulate.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right upper extremity lipoma scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under DCs 7801, 7802, and/or 7805.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 25, 2016 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to September 18, 2015, and thus did not warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been increased to a 20 percent rating, effective November 8, 2025.,A 10 percent disability rating is granted for the Veteran's surgical scar, left knee.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of miscarriage and child loss (menstrual disorders) is granted. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and bilateral eye condition are denied. Arthritis and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for eczema and skin rash, are associated with his subsequent period of active duty after he received separation pay. Therefore, the appeal is granted as recoupment of the Veteran's separation pay in the amount of $13,271.16 is improper.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals regarding the increased disability ratings and service connection for various conditions, including left sciatic nerve palsy post fractured femur, psychiatric disability, surgical scars over the buttocks and left thigh, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has dismissed these appeals as a result.