Scars decisions — 2026

Your service connection for painful scar, left shoulder and left shoulder status post Bankart/SLAP repair has been granted. The effective date is April 3, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of assistive devices such as braces, crutches, canes, rollators, and walkers. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him totally unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 21, 2022. Therefore, an effective date earlier than October 21, 2022 for the award of a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA scar examination and any other appropriate examinations, if necessary, to assess his left chest scar.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, in combination, at least as likely not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral allergic conjunctivitis and bilateral dry eye syndrome was granted, with the highest possible rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's chronic cholelithiasis (gallstones) was also granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining necessary medical records and for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for psychiatric disorder and right hand pain are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for the service-connected nose scar is granted at a 30% level, but his claim for an increased rating for saddle nose with progression of deviated septum remains denied.

The Veteran's employment during the appeal period was full-time and his income exceeded the poverty threshold, making him unable to establish marginal employment. Therefore, he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 15, 2022 for service connection for hypertension is granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 100 percent for service-connected schizophrenia has been denied. The appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities has also been denied.

The Veteran's death was not due to service or a service-connected disability. The appellant is receiving the maximum DIC benefits and no additional compensation under PACT Act for Agent Orange exposure is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of proper notice and an inadequate medical opinion, which may affect eligibility for PCAFC benefits. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are noted but no rating or effective date is provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disorder, an initial compensable evaluation for left testis removal post testicular cancer, and an initial compensable evaluation for surgical scar left inguinal area of abdomen residual of left orchiectomy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for neurostimulator removal with residual scar should be remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to May 18, 2021 is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's scar, residual of left wrist surgery, does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The Veteran's left ring finger partial amputation is currently rated noncompensably disabling and no higher rating is warranted as there are no additional disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under DC 5227.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is currently employed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, bilateral knee surgical scars, and left hip osteoarthritis have been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for left hip osteoarthritis has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.