The veteran's thoracotomy scar is not compensable, and there is no current evidence of injuries to the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles. The October 1945 rating decision did not involve clear and unmistakable error in failing to service-connect these conditions.
The deciding factor: There is no current medical evidence supporting a diagnosis of injuries to the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles, and the thoracotomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracotomy scar, injuries to rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2002
- Citation
- 0206962
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0206962.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA pulmonary examination to assess the Veteran's lung cancer residuals and any related disabilities. The issues of service connection for a pulmonary disability (including bronchitis and shortness of breath) and entitlement to TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with the reduction rating issue.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left bronchogenic cyst, status-post thoracotomy, with scar. The evidence showed no limitation of function or restrictive lung disease.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 23, 2003 for his TDIU rating based on service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The veteran is granted earlier effective dates of October 26, 1984 for the award of a 60 percent rating for service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and for service connection for a thoracotomy scar.
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