Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left great toe, right great toe, and right second toe surgical scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's left and right great toe painful surgical scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current GERD is causally related to his military service. Service connection for Facial Scar, OSA, and IBS are remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left breast scar and status post fibroadenoma surgical excision are rated at the maximum allowed. The bipolar disorder with psychotic features remains at a 100% rating, but service connection for shoulder and ankle disorders is remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for scars, residual of shrapnel wound, effective from the date of the April 2024 decision on appeal. The Veteran's scar(s) are not associated with underlying soft tissue damage and do not meet criteria for higher ratings under other diagnostic codes.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal regarding a disability rating for basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the facial scars and TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claims for increased ratings and compensation for right knee strain, scars, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,Glaucoma is granted as secondary to the service-connected asthma, with the condition aggravated by steroid use.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 30 percent rating for scar, residual of right thyroidectomy was granted. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for hypertension was dismissed due to the finality of a prior rating decision. Service connection for neck pain, bilateral upper and lower extremity nerve conditions, and right hip disability based on limitation of abduction are remanded.

The Veteran's psoriasis scar with scaly hyperpigmentation behind left ear is granted a separate 10 percent rating. The Veteran's psoriasis scar with scaly hyperpigmentation behind right ear is granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia patella (right and left knees), and sleep apnea residuals status post nasal fracture are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran's chest scar is not compensably rated as it does not meet the required surface area criteria. The Veteran's neck scar also does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic rhinitis and sarcoidosis was dismissed. The appeals for erectile dysfunction, skin condition, scar, fibromyalgia, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, CFS, dental abscess, visual acuity, memory loss condition, myocardial infraction, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus were all dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.

The Board granted service connection for insomnia and dyssomnia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected scar, status post left lung sarcomatoid carcinoma removal with upper lobe resection. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right eye disability, which is secondary to a corneal scar from chemical injury. The Veteran does not have incapacitating episodes or diplopia.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis, headaches, hyperhidrosis, hypogeusia, hyposmia, left hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and strain (status post arthroscopy with labral repair), gynecomastia surgery scars, and right index finger scar have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations without consideration of any presumptive exposure or secondary service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform activities of daily living. The claim is remanded to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in the Veteran's best interest.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, finding that good cause was not shown to extend the appeal period. The Veteran did not timely file her Board Appeal requests.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased disability rating for anterior neck scar, right shoulder scar, and painful right shoulder and anterior neck scars due to insufficient evidence or incomplete evaluation.,The appellant's service-connected painful right shoulder scar and anterior neck scar are currently rated as 10 percent each. The Board is directed to consider additional evidence and provide a new determination on these issues.