The Veteran's death was attributed to metastatic malignant melanoma of the brain, which is believed to be related to his service-connected melanoma of the left shoulder. The Board has determined that a VA evaluation would be helpful in resolving these issues.
The deciding factor: The cause of the Veteran's death (metastatic malignant melanoma of the brain) is linked to his service-connected melanoma of the left shoulder, which was presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic malignant melanoma of the brain, melanoma of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1031381
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1031381.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's melanoma of the left shoulder, which is presumed related to his in-service herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma of the left shoulder, basal cell carcinoma of the neck and facial region, mass on the right adrenal gland, and enlarged prostate.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
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