The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a laryngectomy, nicotine dependence, and skin cancers. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a laryngectomy, and it was determined that nicotine dependence did not result from service or is no longer present, and skin cancers were not related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board concluded that there was insufficient new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a laryngectomy. The veteran's application to reopen his claim for nicotine dependence was denied as he had no current diagnosis of nicotine dependence. For skin cancers, the Board found they were not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- laryngectomy, skin cancers
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2002
- Citation
- 0216830
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 0216830.
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 determined that there are outstanding records from private providers related to the Veteran's skin cancer treatment, and therefore remands the case for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left hand tremors, prostate disorder, status post precancerous lymphoma removal, hypertension, and skin cancers. The reasons include potential exposure to Agent Orange during active duty in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancers and chronic fatigue syndrome are related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange or other toxins. The claims for these conditions will be further developed.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal concerning the claims of skin cancers, migraines, sinusitis, and COPD has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.
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