An earlier effective date of September 8, 1994, for a 10 percent rating for scar of the forehead is granted. An initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease prior to August 24, 2023, is denied. A grant of service connection for painful scar of the forehead effective September 16, 2021, and an initial 40 percent rating from August 24, 2023, are granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence received after his original claim in November 1994 for service connection of the forehead scar. The effective date is set at September 8, 1994, as it was factually ascertainable that an increase occurred within one year prior to the receipt of the formal claim.
- Claimed conditions
- scar of the forehead
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26025787
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26025787.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's scar of the forehead, as it has been painful throughout the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are not met.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed following the issuance of a Statement of the Case on February 5, 2014. As such, his claims for increased rating and service connection were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.
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