The Veteran's increased rating claim for surgical scarring of the breasts due to fibrocystic disease from December 15, 2010, through November 6, 2017, is granted. The request for a higher rating on and after November 7, 2017, is denied. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for left thumb tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis, with the requests to reopen being granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's surgical scars were found to be painful or unstable, warranting a 20% rating from December 15, 2010, through November 6, 2017. The evidence did not support a higher rating at any point during the appeals period.
- Claimed conditions
- Surgical scarring of the breasts due to fibrocystic disease, Left thumb tendonitis, Left wrist tendonitis, Right ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18143566
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18143566.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, a left knee disability, and a right ankle disability due to the need for VA examinations.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee, right hand, left knee, right ankle, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to untimely appeals or lack of evidence supporting current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding VA's obligation to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.
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