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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21068256.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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