PREC 2-00    Special Monthly Compensation for Loss of Creative Organ--Mastectomy--38 U.S.C. § 1114(k); 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(a)      Citation: Vet. Aff. Op. Gen. Couns. Prec. 2-00,  VAOPGCPREC 2-00, 2000

May the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through rulemaking authorize special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) (k-rate SMC) for a service-connected mastectomy?

Section 1114(k) of title 38, United States Code, authorizes a special rate of compensation for the disabilities specified in that provision. Neither section 1114(k) nor VA’s general rulemaking authority, 38 U.S.C. § 501(a), delegates to VA authority to recognize by rulemaking additional injuries or conditions not specified in section 1114(k) for which the special rate of compensation will be paid. By authorizing that rate of compensation for "anatomical loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs," Congress intended to compensate for loss of a procreative, or reproductive, organ, which does not include the breast. Therefore, VA may not by rulemaking authorize special monthly compensation under section 1114(k) for a service-connected mastectomy.