The Board denied service connection for both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, finding insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.
The deciding factor: Service connection was not established due to lack of direct evidence linking the cancers to service and insufficient probability that exposure to ionizing radiation caused the cancers based on estimated dose levels.
- Claimed conditions
- basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2011
- Citation
- 1129978
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 1129978.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, including lumbar spine DDD, cervical spine disorder, LEFT shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, and basal cell carcinoma of the skin. Secondary service connection has also been established for radiculopathy in both lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ did not fully consider the Veteran's reported toxic exposures in service, and thus remanded for appropriate TERA development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a skin condition, as it is unclear if there is any relationship between the Veteran's current skin conditions and his military service or herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin was dismissed because it was duplicative of a previous appeal.
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