The Board denied service connection for PTSD and squamous cell carcinoma of the nose due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding no credible evidence supporting the veteran's claims.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his service and there is no credible evidence corroborating his reported stressors or exposure to ionizing radiation. The skin cancer was diagnosed many years after service and without a clear link to service, including any potential exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nose
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2002
- Citation
- 0217310
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0217310.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 7, 2022, while other claims were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and GAD, as well as tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
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