{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/scars-other-superficial-unstable","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:18.743Z","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 superficial unstable","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":520,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.9,"denied_pct":59.6,"remanded_pct":19,"granted_on_merits_pct":26.9,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":135,"granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":59.3,"remanded_pct":19.3},{"year":2018,"issues":277,"granted_pct":22.7,"denied_pct":57.8,"remanded_pct":18.4},{"year":2019,"issues":163,"granted_pct":16.6,"denied_pct":54.6,"remanded_pct":22.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":65.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":64,"granted_pct_with":32.2,"granted_pct_without":26},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":351,"granted_pct_with":27.6,"granted_pct_without":24.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":46,"granted_pct_with":20.5,"granted_pct_without":27.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":153,"granted_pct_with":23.3,"granted_pct_without":28.5},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":99,"granted_pct_with":27.6,"granted_pct_without":26.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":387,"granted_pct_with":30.3,"granted_pct_without":16.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"meets criteria for 10 percent rating under dc 7804","decisions":9},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":3},{"reason":"scar is painful","decisions":2},{"reason":"criteria for higher ratings not met","decisions":2},{"reason":"rated under dc 7804","decisions":2},{"reason":"four painful scars identified","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":21},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":16},{"reason":"scar not painful or unstable","decisions":10},{"reason":"scar is not painful or unstable","decisions":8},{"reason":"criteria for higher rating not met","decisions":6},{"reason":"scars not painful or unstable","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26031619","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Scar is tender and painful; Consistent with 10 percent rating under DC 7804; No objective findings for instability or functional impact for higher rating"},{"case_id":"A25041288","year":2025,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"Earlier effective date granted; 20 percent rating granted for specific period"},{"case_id":"A25003651","year":2025,"judge":"D. MARTZ AMES","rationale":"Favorable finding of current disability by RO; Favorable finding of TERA conceded by RO; Credible testimony of continuity of symptoms since active duty; VA examiner's opinion found inadequate; failed to address secondary basis"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26012649","year":2026,"judge":"ANTHONY C. SCIRÉ, JR","rationale":"Scar is stable, not painful, not unstable; Scar area less than 144 sq. cm.; No underlying tissue damage"},{"case_id":"A25107386","year":2025,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"No new and relevant evidence presented showing current scarring secondary to tinea versicolor.; Prior denial based on lack of current diagnosis of scarring."},{"case_id":"A25098231","year":2025,"judge":"REBECCA N. POULSON","rationale":"Criteria for service connection not met; Scar not secondary to service-connected disability; Scar not otherwise related to service"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}