The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the veteran's skin cancers and his active duty service, including any potential exposure to herbicides or solar radiation in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2003
- Citation
- 0313296
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 0313296.
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 remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed blood clots in the left leg. The claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) remains denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma based on the Veteran's toxic exposures in service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including headaches, BCC, carpal tunnel, CFS, fibromyalgia, right ear hearing loss, lipoma, OSA, thoracic pain, neck pain, and peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a skin disability and hernias to obtain additional medical opinions, as the previous VA examinations are found insufficient.
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.