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Denied

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right parotid/neck area, claimed as melanoma, and for an increased evaluation for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hip and buttock. The Board found no evidence linking the cancer to service or Agent Orange exposure, and concluded that the muscle injuries did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The deciding factor: The veteran's squamous cell carcinoma was not shown by competent medical evidence to be related to service, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Board also found no evidence supporting a higher evaluation for his gunshot wound residuals.

Claimed conditions
squamous cell carcinoma of the right parotid/neck area (claimed as melanoma), gunshot wound to the right hip and buttock
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
October 25, 2006
Citation
0633042

Veterans Law Judge

DEREK R. BROWN

Decisions by this judge: 1,987 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 0633042.

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