The Veteran's cause of death, Merkel cell carcinoma, was found to have been present for at least two years before its identification in August 2002. Service connection is granted as the cancer likely originated during service.
The deciding factor: Merkel cell carcinoma was identified within one year of separation from service and the medical evidence supports that it had been present prior to this time, consistent with a direct service connection theory.
- Claimed conditions
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1453272
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 1453272.
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 Merkel cell carcinoma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma, finding that it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma, left knee disability, and neck disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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