The Veteran's claims for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma of the right thigh, residuals of surgical resection of the sentinel lymph node of the right groin (claimed as secondary to Merkel cell carcinoma), and skin cancer of the left chest, upper and lower back, right shoulder, right neck, and right ear are all granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to ultraviolet tropical sunlight during his military service in the Pacific Theater. His private physician provided a nexus opinion linking his multiple cutaneous carcinomas to this exposure. The Board has therefore determined that these conditions are related to his active duty service and grants the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Merkel cell carcinoma of the right thigh, residuals of surgical resection of the sentinel lymph node, right groin (claimed as secondary to Merkel cell carcinoma of the right thigh), skin cancer, to include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the left chest, upper and lower back, right shoulder, right neck, and right ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2011
- Citation
- 1122482
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 1122482.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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- Granted
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