Scars decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and chest scar disability, but the claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence supports his claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for ventral hernia (hernia in abdomen) and scars, extremities or trunk as secondary to ventral hernia (hernia in abdomen). This is due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the original October 2024 rating decision addressing the claim on the merits. The RO did not obtain a VA medical opinion to determine if the proximate cause of the Veteran's claimed disabilities was VA carelessness, lack of proper skill, or error in judgment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to a failure to timely file Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year from the date of the rating decision.,Specifically, the Veteran did not file an NOD on VA Form 10182 until February 2021, which was more than one year after the August 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for left shoulder scars, generalized anxiety disorder with ADHD, and migraine headaches were also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a painful scar status post in-service left inguinal hernia surgery, but denied service connection for a current left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a back scar is denied. An initial rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for a lumbar spine disorder is granted. Prior to March 22, 2021, the Veteran was granted eligibility for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The appeal regarding service connection for kidney cancer is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with effective dates for service connection and disability ratings related to the appellant's right wrist scar and CTS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity neuralgia and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 17, 2022. Effective from that date, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, vertigo, and tinnitus have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating or service connection for various conditions, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea, 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, and 10 percent for right knee scars have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability.,PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but not more than that. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 13, 2024 for his award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the date of receipt of his VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective July 5, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable since January 31, 2016.

The Veteran's residuals of right parotidectomy, including cranial nerve dysfunction to V, VII, XI, weakened muscles of the right side of face and neck with altered sensation and pain stemming from nerve damage or injury; xerostomia; right postauricular scar, and dry eye syndrome, are not proximately due to or the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing reasonable care.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The right little finger disability was also denied as there is no compensable rating assigned.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed left eye condition or TBI, and his right little finger disability remains at its current noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable and effective from February 21, 2023.,Service connection for a lumbar strain was granted with an effective date of June 7, 2021. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but it was denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been service connected and the effective date is August 8, 2022.,Depressive disorder received a grant with an effective date of June 7, 2021.,Service connection for BPPV was granted as secondary to migraines.,Right hip condition and left hip condition were denied service connection.,Acne, erectile dysfunction, scars, diabetes, left foot condition, right foot condition, and retina condition were all denied service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her hallux valgus and initial rating for a left foot scar have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran or their representative.