The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left breast cancer, finding that her current disability resulted from in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs). The positive and negative evidence is at least approximately balanced or nearly equal.
The deciding factor: Competent medical experts provided contradictory opinions regarding whether the Veteran's breast cancer was related to in-service toxic exposure risk activities. Despite these differing opinions, service connection for left breast cancer has been granted as there is no presumption of service connection based on a specific exposure basis.
- Claimed conditions
- left breast cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26039982
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 A26039982.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for left breast cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left breast cancer and associated residual partial mastectomy and lymph node sampling scars, finding that these conditions are related to her active duty service from June 2010 to July 2010.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left breast cancer and residual scars, status post breast mastectomy to obtain an opinion under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act) due to the Veteran's presumed exposure to burn pits during her service in Iraq and Kuwait.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a temporary total disability rating and service connection for left breast cancer as secondary to fibrocystic breast disease due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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.