Breast surgery

VA rates breast surgery under diagnostic code 7626 based on the type of surgery performed and whether one or both breasts were involved. The highest rating, 80%, applies when both breasts have had a radical mastectomy — meaning removal of the entire breast, the underlying pectoral muscles, and regional lymph nodes up to the coracoclavicular ligament. Radical mastectomy of one breast is rated at 50%. A modified radical mastectomy, which removes the entire breast and axillary lymph nodes but leaves the pectoral muscles intact, is rated at 60% for both breasts and 40% for one. A simple mastectomy — removal of all breast tissue, nipple, and a small portion of overlying skin, with lymph nodes and muscles left intact — or a wide local excision with significant alteration of size or form, is rated at 50% for both breasts and 30% for one. Wide local excision without significant alteration of size or form — including procedures such as lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, or quadrantectomy — is rated at 0% whether one or both breasts are involved. VA also notes that loss of one or both breasts may separately qualify you for special monthly compensation under 38 CFR § 3.350.