The veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, was denied because the evidence did not show that his skin cancer is related to his active service.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence suggesting a link between the veteran's skin cancer and his service, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The earliest diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma occurred nearly 10 years after service, which weighs against a finding of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0903290
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for skin cancer to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and firefighting foam.
- Denied
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to have onset in service. Service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is also granted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II requires a restricted diet and regulation of activities but does not require insulin or hospitalizations. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is rated at level I in both ears, resulting in no compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation and no direct link between his skin cancer and military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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