Scars decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings assigned for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, and painful scar from microdiscectomy were dismissed because he had already filed a pending supplemental claim regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The TDIU claim was granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left hip disability, right foot disability, GERD, and migraine headaches.,No effective date earlier than November 20, 2023, is granted for the awards of service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 40 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his moderate depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the May 17, 2025, Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the November 29, 2019, rating decision that granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for arthritis, athlete's foot, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a left ankle disability, and scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, right elbow scars, kidney conditions, lower back condition, ankle strains, or knee strains.

The reduction in evaluation of service-connected joint osteoarthritis, right knee (limitation of flexion) from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper; therefore, restoration of the 20 percent rating is granted.,The reduction in evaluation of service-connected left knee painful scar from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper; therefore, restoration of the 10 percent rating is granted.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right knee degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been granted. The effective date for all conditions is June 26, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 5, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of November 22, 2022 for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The effective date is based on continuous pursuit of his increased disability rating claims and the fact that he meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to his respiratory disability, which is presumed by the PACT Act. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a permanent and total disability resulting in anatomical loss of use of both hands, burns, or residuals of an inhalational injury.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 18, 2011, for a 20% disability rating for tender scars on the left chest is granted. The Board found that the date entitlement arose was not later than the date of claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for scars, head, face or neck due to a lack of evidence within the record and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for right wrist scars from 10 percent to noncompensable (0 percent) was improper and restored the original 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, and left foot post-surgical scar due to an error in failing to provide notice of the right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings related to the Veteran's PTSD, facial scars with disfigurement, and painful scars of the face.

The Board denied service connection for chest scars, finding no evidence linking the current scars to service. The Veteran's lay statements about onset and causation were not credible.

The Veteran's nightmare disorder is granted an increased rating to 50 percent.,A compensable disability rating of 10 percent for the right chest residual excision surgical scar is granted.

The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC and aid and attendance special monthly compensation effective May 3, 2024, due to his service-connected conditions that require regular aid and assistance.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.