{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/scars-other-not-of-head-face-or-neck","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:29.301Z","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 other not of head face or neck","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":7953,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":15.3,"denied_pct":51.4,"remanded_pct":33.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":22.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":499,"granted_pct":12.6,"denied_pct":49.5,"remanded_pct":31.7},{"year":2018,"issues":823,"granted_pct":12.9,"denied_pct":47.1,"remanded_pct":35.1},{"year":2019,"issues":1118,"granted_pct":12.1,"denied_pct":48.3,"remanded_pct":37},{"year":2020,"issues":1041,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":52,"remanded_pct":33.4},{"year":2021,"issues":1043,"granted_pct":14.1,"denied_pct":46.7,"remanded_pct":37.2},{"year":2022,"issues":962,"granted_pct":13.8,"denied_pct":43.3,"remanded_pct":40.1},{"year":2023,"issues":1191,"granted_pct":12.9,"denied_pct":45.3,"remanded_pct":39.4},{"year":2024,"issues":1210,"granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":53.6,"remanded_pct":28.5},{"year":2025,"issues":1318,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":62,"remanded_pct":22.2},{"year":2026,"issues":400,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":57.8,"remanded_pct":19.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":56.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":995,"granted_pct_with":38.8,"granted_pct_without":19.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":6089,"granted_pct_with":21.3,"granted_pct_without":34},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":795,"granted_pct_with":41.5,"granted_pct_without":20.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2512,"granted_pct_with":23.5,"granted_pct_without":22.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1863,"granted_pct_with":26.5,"granted_pct_without":21.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":300,"granted_pct_with":32.2,"granted_pct_without":22.5},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":6216,"granted_pct_with":23.9,"granted_pct_without":18.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":113,"granted_pct_with":41.3,"granted_pct_without":22.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":383,"granted_pct_with":25.9,"granted_pct_without":22.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":73},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":34},{"reason":"meets criteria for 10 percent rating under dc 7804","decisions":23},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":19},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":18},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":14}],"denied":[{"reason":"scar not painful or unstable","decisions":251},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":246},{"reason":"scars not painful or unstable","decisions":168},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":137},{"reason":"scar was not painful or unstable","decisions":77},{"reason":"did not meet criteria for compensable rating","decisions":62}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040524","year":2026,"judge":"M. SORISIO","rationale":"Granted secondary to service-connected liver cancer; Caused by liver cancer; Based on VA examiner's finding of scar"},{"case_id":"A26040092","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Scar is but-for caused by primary shoulder condition; Service connection granted"},{"case_id":"A26039227","year":2026,"judge":"RAY BARTO SLABBEKORN, JR.","rationale":"Entitlement arose on June 15, 2022, the date of lumbar fusion surgery.; Claim was continuously pursued from intent to file."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040455","year":2026,"judge":"L. CHU","rationale":"Right knee scar measured 0.15 sq. cm.; Scar is well-healed, asymptomatic, and causes no functional impairment.; Does not meet criteria for compensable rating under DC 7802."},{"case_id":"A26040604","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"No objective signs of disfigurement, instability, pain, or abnormal pigmentation/texture.; Veteran's testimony of pain not supported by objective findings or treatment records.; Evidence weighed against the claim."},{"case_id":"A26040774","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Criteria for compensable rating not met; Scars not painful or unstable; Scars less than 144 inches squared"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}