The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars was denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating is appropriate as the scars are less than 929 square centimeters and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's scars were rated under Diagnostic Code 7802, which requires an area of at least 144 square inches (929 square centimeters) or greater. The VA examiner found that the scars did not cover this area and did not result in a limitation of function or impact the Veteran's ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- surgical scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26030905
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 A26030905.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to his remaining functional use of his feet.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the ventral hernia, a separate 30 percent rating for painful or unstable surgical scars, and a TDIU effective March 13, 2022. The claims for increased ratings for diverticulitis and surgical scars under Diagnostic Code 7801 were denied.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. Claims for higher ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.
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