The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under chapter 35 due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service or exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence showing that the veteran had malignant melanoma with cerebral metastases during his military service, nor could it be presumed as a result of exposure to herbicides. The death certificate showed the onset of the condition one year prior to his death, which occurred four years after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- malignant melanoma, cerebral metastases
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2003
- Citation
- 0314086
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 0314086.
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.
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