The Veteran's claims for service connection for adenocarcinoma of the prostate and basal cell carcinoma of the left shoulder were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, and neither condition was diagnosed within one year post-service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have any documented exposure to herbicides during service. Neither prostate cancer nor basal cell carcinoma manifested until years after separation from service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- adenocarcinoma of the prostate, basal cell carcinoma of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2014
- Citation
- 1453821
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 1453821.
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 adenocarcinoma of the prostate is rated at 60 percent effective February 5, 2021. An effective date of August 5, 2020 for a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II has been granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and verruca vulgaris of the right hand are not rated as compensable.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest and adult failure to thrive, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's prostate condition was restored to a 60% rating effective December 16, 2025.,An earlier effective date of August 23, 2012, for the grant of TDIU is granted.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective September 4, 2025.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder, tinnitus, and urethritis, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.
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