{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/scars-disfiguring","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:23.087Z","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":"Scars disfiguring","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1042,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.2,"denied_pct":25.6,"remanded_pct":54.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":40.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":36,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":25,"remanded_pct":58.3},{"year":2018,"issues":63,"granted_pct":15.9,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":47.6},{"year":2019,"issues":86,"granted_pct":12.8,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":54.7},{"year":2020,"issues":167,"granted_pct":6.6,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":64.7},{"year":2021,"issues":157,"granted_pct":22.9,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":51.6},{"year":2022,"issues":161,"granted_pct":14.9,"denied_pct":9.9,"remanded_pct":68.9},{"year":2023,"issues":189,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":61.4},{"year":2024,"issues":184,"granted_pct":14.7,"denied_pct":34.2,"remanded_pct":50},{"year":2025,"issues":135,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":40.7},{"year":2026,"issues":49,"granted_pct":20.4,"denied_pct":20.4,"remanded_pct":49}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":54.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":113,"granted_pct_with":68.8,"granted_pct_without":33.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":659,"granted_pct_with":37.5,"granted_pct_without":49.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":96,"granted_pct_with":71.4,"granted_pct_without":35},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":380,"granted_pct_with":37.5,"granted_pct_without":42.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":198,"granted_pct_with":46.4,"granted_pct_without":38.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":804,"granted_pct_with":39,"granted_pct_without":45.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":69,"granted_pct_with":63.3,"granted_pct_without":38.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":14},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":7},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":6},{"reason":"new and material evidence received","decisions":3},{"reason":"skin disability related to service","decisions":2},{"reason":"service connection warranted","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":38},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":20},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":18},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":14},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":13},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":13}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26034426","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER WHITE","rationale":"Evidence for and against claim in approximate balance; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor"},{"case_id":"A26029922","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Favorable finding of current disability; Favorable finding of causation from service-connected condition; All elements for secondary service connection met"},{"case_id":"A26029896","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN R. DOOLITTLE, II","rationale":"Granted as secondary to service-connected carcinomas; Scars resulted from treatment procedures"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26036694","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"No current disability confirmed by service treatment records or VA exam; VA examiner found no visible scars; Evidence weighs against claim, not in approximate balance"},{"case_id":"A26034291","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No positive nexus between in-service events and current chest scars.; Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity lacked credibility due to inconsistencies with service treatment records.; Shingles diagnosis deemed an acute, isolated incident unrelated to service."},{"case_id":"A26033903","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No positive nexus between in-service neck masses and current chest scars.; Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of chest scarring lack credibility.; No presumptive service connection for chest scars related to Camp Lejeune or toxic exposures."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}