The reduction from 100% to 0% for lung cancer status post-surgical resection was proper and restoration is denied.,The reduction from 10% to 0% for right leg scar effective January 1, 2015 was not proper; restoration of the 10% rating is warranted.
The deciding factor: VA reduced the Veteran's lung cancer disability rating from 100 percent to noncompensable due to improvement in his condition and lack of evidence of recurrence or metastasis.,The VA found that the right leg scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating as its symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Lung Cancer (Status Post-Surgical Resection), Right Leg Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18159932
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18159932.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's initial rating for CAD prior to May 23, 2014 is denied. A higher rating for CAD from May 23, 2014 to September 3, 2019 is also denied. An initial 10 percent rating is granted for a right leg scar. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective September 28, 2012, but the Board remanded the issue of whether he should have received a TDIU prior to that date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 4, 2014. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability is also granted from September 4, 2014.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right leg scar disability is currently rated as 0 percent disabling due to its small area and lack of functional impairment.,The Veteran's left leg scar disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left elbow scar, right wrist scars, and right leg scar. The TDIU claim is being remanded.
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