Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right shoulder scars were granted service connection effective November 4, 2013. However, the claim for a compensable rating was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU based on depression alone and SMC, as his MFR was denied by the Board.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease with cardiomyopathy. The decision also grants earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as the Board cannot determine when he first became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded because it was not factually ascertainable that he met the criteria for a 100% rating within one year prior to filing his claim.

The Veteran's hyperpigmented scarring due to PFB is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. The Board found that the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not involve more than 20-40% of the entire body or exposed areas affected, nor systemic therapy required over the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's SMC claim was granted based on his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple knee conditions. The effective date is set at February 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skull scars was granted with an effective date of August 30, 2022. The current skull scars were incurred at least as early as December 2017.

The Veteran's left lower abdominal scars were granted a 10% rating, while his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and H. Pylori were denied. The denial of the left testicular atrophy and left varicocele claim is due to lack of evidence showing removal or atrophy of both testes.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU and DEA eligibility on and after February 7, 2022.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for scars, status post left and right breast augmentation, and status post benign nevus, right chest as the evidence did not show these conditions to be unstable or painful, deep and nonlinear, superficial and nonlinear involving an area of at least 144 sq. inches, or otherwise disabling.

The Veteran is granted service connection for melanoma and facial scars as secondary to the removal of his service-connected melanoma. The claims are based on exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 4, 2019 for the Veteran's scar (back surgery residuals). The remaining claims are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim based on a single service-connected disability for purposes of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is denied as he had a combined total schedular disability rating and was receiving special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his right knee disability and additional service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim based on need for aid and attendance is also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right ankle disability, as well as the compensability of his scars, have been dismissed due to non-jurisdictional procedural defects.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for a compensable disability rating for scars, lateral aspect left elbow status post open reduction and internal fixation.

The Veteran's malaria is inactive with no symptoms or residuals, and thus a compensable rating is denied.,The scar from the sebaceous cyst below the right eye does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it has no characteristic of disfigurement.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as he is not in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person and is not housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the need for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted on August 13, 2018. The effective date is set at this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services for a continuous six months due to an inability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) or because he was in need of supervision, protection, or instruction. Therefore, eligibility for PCAFC benefits is denied.