{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/scar-s-unstable-or-painful","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:23.989Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Scar(s) unstable or painful","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":4273,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":26.5,"denied_pct":47.1,"remanded_pct":27.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":36,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":145,"granted_pct":22.8,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":47.6},{"year":2018,"issues":277,"granted_pct":22,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2019,"issues":437,"granted_pct":19.5,"denied_pct":37.3,"remanded_pct":38.7},{"year":2020,"issues":577,"granted_pct":23.4,"denied_pct":45.2,"remanded_pct":30.8},{"year":2021,"issues":567,"granted_pct":23.5,"denied_pct":49.2,"remanded_pct":23.8},{"year":2022,"issues":571,"granted_pct":25.7,"denied_pct":40.8,"remanded_pct":30.5},{"year":2023,"issues":662,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":46.1,"remanded_pct":28.1},{"year":2024,"issues":736,"granted_pct":25.1,"denied_pct":50.1,"remanded_pct":21.9},{"year":2025,"issues":858,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":62.7,"remanded_pct":14.7},{"year":2026,"issues":313,"granted_pct":31.6,"denied_pct":51.4,"remanded_pct":14.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":59.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":617,"granted_pct_with":48.8,"granted_pct_without":33.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":3310,"granted_pct_with":35.5,"granted_pct_without":38.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":483,"granted_pct_with":44.1,"granted_pct_without":34.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1417,"granted_pct_with":35,"granted_pct_without":36.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1125,"granted_pct_with":39.6,"granted_pct_without":34.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":183,"granted_pct_with":48.3,"granted_pct_without":35.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":3374,"granted_pct_with":38.8,"granted_pct_without":23.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":74,"granted_pct_with":63.6,"granted_pct_without":35.5},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":239,"granted_pct_with":39.5,"granted_pct_without":35.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":33},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":28},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":21},{"reason":"meets criteria for 10 percent rating under dc 7804","decisions":18},{"reason":"painful scar warrants 10 percent rating under dc 7804","decisions":17},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":15}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":120},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":88},{"reason":"scar not painful or unstable","decisions":86},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":57},{"reason":"scar not unstable or painful","decisions":38},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":38}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040649","year":2026,"judge":"DUSTIN L. WARE","rationale":"Veteran credibly testified scar was painful; Benefit of the doubt resolved in veteran's favor; Met criteria for 10% rating under DC 7804"},{"case_id":"A26039984","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Veteran's testimony; VA exam found tenderness to palpation; Three scars identified"},{"case_id":"26005022","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Veteran reported continuous pain in the scar; Board found veteran's report fully credible; Met criteria for 10 percent rating under DC 7804"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040763","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"Scars did not exceed 929 sq cm for DC 7802; No soft tissue damage for DC 7801; Scars not unstable or painful for DC 7804; No disabling effects for DC 7805"},{"case_id":"A26040801","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"Insufficient evidence to show Veteran has a knee scar.; No medical evidence or treatment source identified for the scar.; Entrance exam noted a scar but did not specify location; separation exam was negative."},{"case_id":"A26039984","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Scar does not cover 144 square inches; No indication of instability or pain; VA exam found scar tender, but not painful"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}