The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied as the evidence did not show that her service-connected conditions rendered her unemployable.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has experience as a department clerk but reported difficulty maintaining concentration due to pain and tenderness of her breasts, which prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- fibroadenoma, scarring
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18160942
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 18160942.
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: Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for kidney cancer and scarring from treatment have been denied as there is no evidence of compensable residual conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), including scarring, is remanded due to incomplete examination reports.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 0 percent for pseudofolliculitis is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to consider new evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted a 60 percent rating for fibroadenoma effective June 2, 2025, and service connection for scar related to the Veteran's service-connected fibroadenoma with an effective date of June 2, 2025. SMC loss of breast tissue was also granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.