The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no convincing evidence to show that his self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to any disability incurred in service or otherwise related to service.
The deciding factor: The underlying cause of death (self-inflicted gunshot wound) was not caused by any disability incurred in service or otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- malignant melanoma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2003
- Citation
- 0302684
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 0302684.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for malignant melanoma as due to UV exposure and sinonasal skull base poorly differentiated carcinoma as due to chemical exposures of TCE, benzene, and asbestos.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and sinonasal skull base poorly differentiated carcinoma due to herbicide exposure, as VA opinions regarding their etiology are needed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for malignant melanoma to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically to obtain a medical opinion that considers all in-service toxic exposures.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for malignant melanoma and a scar on the right temple, denied an increased rating for PTSD, and granted TDIU.
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.