The Veteran's bilateral mastectomy scars are not painful or unstable, and do not result in any functional impairment. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral mastectomy scars is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any disabling effects caused by the Veteran's scars, including no pain or instability.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral mastectomy scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- November 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21068256
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 21068256.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral mastectomy with status-post ductal carcinoma and left fibroadenoma, bilateral mastectomy scars, bilateral mastectomy painful scar, and special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of breast.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for breast carcinoma and its residuals, bilateral mastectomy scars, and lymphedema of the left upper extremity as related to in-service toxic exposure. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed related to her military duties that exposed her to volatile chemicals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral mastectomy scars and GERD due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including missing VA medical records and a need for another etiology opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.