{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/scars-other","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:32.300Z","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","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":956,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":15.8,"denied_pct":49.6,"remanded_pct":33.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":24.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":229,"granted_pct":16.2,"denied_pct":41,"remanded_pct":35.8},{"year":2018,"issues":373,"granted_pct":12.6,"denied_pct":42.6,"remanded_pct":40.5},{"year":2019,"issues":204,"granted_pct":18.6,"denied_pct":46.6,"remanded_pct":34.3},{"year":2020,"issues":47,"granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":68.1,"remanded_pct":12.8},{"year":2021,"issues":50,"granted_pct":8,"denied_pct":58,"remanded_pct":34},{"year":2022,"issues":46,"granted_pct":17.4,"denied_pct":63,"remanded_pct":17.4},{"year":2023,"issues":51,"granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":68.6,"remanded_pct":15.7},{"year":2024,"issues":37,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":75.7,"remanded_pct":21.6},{"year":2025,"issues":51,"granted_pct":9.8,"denied_pct":66.7,"remanded_pct":21.6}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":67.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":123,"granted_pct_with":36.9,"granted_pct_without":21.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":649,"granted_pct_with":21.6,"granted_pct_without":33.1},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":83,"granted_pct_with":36.7,"granted_pct_without":22.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":312,"granted_pct_with":20.5,"granted_pct_without":26.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":229,"granted_pct_with":25.7,"granted_pct_without":23.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":42,"granted_pct_with":34.3,"granted_pct_without":23.6},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":762,"granted_pct_with":26.2,"granted_pct_without":15},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":61,"granted_pct_with":19.4,"granted_pct_without":24.4}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"meets criteria for 10 percent rating under dc 7804","decisions":7},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":4},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":3},{"reason":"scar is painful","decisions":3},{"reason":"service connection granted","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":41},{"reason":"scar not painful or unstable","decisions":20},{"reason":"scars not painful or unstable","decisions":15},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":12},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":12},{"reason":"scar was not painful or unstable","decisions":8}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005121","year":2026,"judge":"M. TENNER","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected morbid obesity; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102 criteria met"},{"case_id":"A25092673","year":2025,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"Reduction to 0% improper as no improvement shown; July 2024 exam noted condition \"stayed the same\"; Five or more painful scars with burning pain noted"},{"case_id":"A25068826","year":2025,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Conflicting VA examination findings regarding scar tenderness and soft tissue damage.; Evidence at least evenly balanced that scars were always painful but never unstable.; 20% rating under DC 7804 granted for four painful scars.; No evidence supports higher ratings for instability, soft tissue dama… [truncated, 25 chars omitted]"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26035677","year":2026,"judge":"G. A. WASIK","rationale":"Service treatment records noted complaints of itching; Medical evidence did not meet criteria for compensable rating"},{"case_id":"A26027624","year":2026,"judge":"T. REYNOLDS","rationale":"Scar is painful; Warranted 10% under DC 7804; Increased evaluation denied"},{"case_id":"A26023988","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Scar did not meet area requirement for compensable rating.; Scar was not painful.; Persuasive weight of evidence is against the claim."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}