The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for breast reduction surgery, finding that her bilateral mammoplasty resulted in a loss of at least 25 percent of tissue from either breast or both breasts. The Board also found no additional disability other than what has been granted (breast reduction surgical scars).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral mammoplasty resulted in the loss of 25 percent or more tissue from a single breast or both breasts, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC) benefits. However, there is no additional disability other than what has been granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Breast hypertrophy, Bilateral reduction mammoplasty
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- 26000885
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 26000885.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral breast reduction resulted in a significant alteration of the size of her breasts, warranting an initial 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7626.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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