The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for melanomas, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis of the left hand, back, and left side of neck as a result of exposure to sunlight during military service.
The deciding factor: The private dermatologist's opinion established a clear link between the Veteran's in-service sun exposure and his current skin conditions, while the VA physician's assistant provided an opinion that it would be mere speculation to say that exposure to the sun caused his melanoma and actinic keratosis 30 years later.
- Claimed conditions
- melanomas, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1342907
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 1342907.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is granted as secondary to his service-connected eczema and psoriasis. The initial compensable evaluation for toenail psoriasis remains denied.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis as the appeal is considered duplicative of a previous decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for actinic keratosis, finding that his condition had its onset during active duty and is related to exposure to harmful sun while deployed in Afghanistan.
- Partly granted
The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for neoplasm hard and soft tissue of the mouth was improper, as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding the cause of the condition. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.
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