The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer as secondary to exposure to herbicides. The Board found that there was no evidence of current residuals of skin cancer, and that the veteran did not have a history of relevant treatment during service or ACDUTRA. The Board also noted that Agent Orange use at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in 1966-1967 is not one of the diseases eligible for service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The VA audiological and skin examination findings did not support a finding of current residuals related to service or National Guard service, and there was no evidence of relevant treatment during service or ACDUTRA. The Board also noted that skin cancer is not one of the diseases eligible for service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0820531
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 0820531.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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