{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/scars-other-of-head-face-or-neck","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:26.893Z","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 of head face or neck","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":3780,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":23.2,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":41.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":40.7,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":361,"granted_pct":19.7,"denied_pct":38.2,"remanded_pct":34.3},{"year":2018,"issues":611,"granted_pct":21.8,"denied_pct":38.8,"remanded_pct":35.4},{"year":2019,"issues":572,"granted_pct":19.8,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":42.1},{"year":2020,"issues":407,"granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":32.9,"remanded_pct":47.7},{"year":2021,"issues":399,"granted_pct":24.3,"denied_pct":27.1,"remanded_pct":45.4},{"year":2022,"issues":410,"granted_pct":23.2,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":50.5},{"year":2023,"issues":435,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":29,"remanded_pct":49.2},{"year":2024,"issues":428,"granted_pct":27.1,"denied_pct":30.4,"remanded_pct":39},{"year":2025,"issues":428,"granted_pct":24.1,"denied_pct":40,"remanded_pct":31.3},{"year":2026,"issues":141,"granted_pct":27.7,"denied_pct":34,"remanded_pct":35.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":60.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":504,"granted_pct_with":68,"granted_pct_without":34.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":2577,"granted_pct_with":37.6,"granted_pct_without":51.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":489,"granted_pct_with":64.6,"granted_pct_without":36},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1370,"granted_pct_with":41,"granted_pct_without":40.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":907,"granted_pct_with":48.7,"granted_pct_without":38},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":143,"granted_pct_with":50.6,"granted_pct_without":40.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":2915,"granted_pct_with":42.2,"granted_pct_without":34.9},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":124,"granted_pct_with":63,"granted_pct_without":39.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":264,"granted_pct_with":44.8,"granted_pct_without":40.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":82},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":39},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":23},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":14},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":13},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":6}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":107},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":76},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":43},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":39},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":37},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":34}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26035485","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Severance of head scar was improper; Secondary to restored TBI"},{"case_id":"26004529","year":2026,"judge":"G. A. WASIK","rationale":"Credible lay report of skin growth during service; Supported by later medical records; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26034209","year":2026,"judge":"JIMMY L. BARDIN","rationale":"Later examinations noted tenderness to palpation but not painful scars.; No evidence demonstrated actual improvement in ability to function.; Reduction was improper as improvement was not shown."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040428","year":2026,"judge":"YVETTE R. WHITE","rationale":"Scar measured one square centimeter; Scar was painful but not associated with underlying soft tissue damage or instability; Evidence persuasively weighs against findings supporting a compensable rating"},{"case_id":"A26034275","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"Evidence does not support higher rating under DC 7800.; Veteran does not meet criteria for gross distortion/asymmetry.; Veteran does not meet criteria for multiple characteristics of disfigurement."},{"case_id":"A26031877","year":2026,"judge":"S. MERRICK","rationale":"Neck scar measured 6.5 cm x .2 cm; Hyperpigmentation did not exceed six square inches; Scar was asymptomatic and not painful"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}