The veteran's skin condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may its incurrence in service on the basis of mustard gas exposure be presumed.
The deciding factor: Service medical records are negative for a skin condition and do not show any treatment or diagnosis related to the current squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek. The veteran's statements regarding his exposure to mustard gas during service are not supported by evidence, including the Army Command report which found no evidence of such exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2000
- Citation
- 0025540
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 0025540.
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: Granted
The Veteran's facial scars are related to in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek and basal cell carcinoma of the right nasolabial crease and left upper lip.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek are related to his service, including exposure to sunlight during his time in Vietnam. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek and assigned a compensable rating for skin cancer excision, right mid-lateral back/right back and left upper back. The claim for skin cancer excision, left frontal scalp/left temple at hairline is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek is related to service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.
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.