The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma and hypertension was not well grounded. The claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma was denied because there is no competent medical evidence of a nexus between the condition and exposure to herbicides or a napalm burn. The claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to PTSD, was also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the veteran's anxiety to his hypertension.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that while the veteran had current diagnoses of basal cell carcinoma and hypertension, there was no competent medical evidence establishing a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and service. The VA treatment records did not provide sufficient evidence to support a finding of a nexus between PTSD and hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- basal cell carcinoma, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2000
- Citation
- 0004923
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0004923.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which he claims was caused by exposure to water-based contaminants at Camp Lejeune during his military service.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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