The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His back disability was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, his scar disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his melanoma was not related to herbicide exposure or service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's skin cancer is not considered presumptively associated with herbicide exposure as it began after separation from service. The medical evidence does not establish that the Veteran's back disability or scar are secondary to a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Status Post Spine Fusion with Ruptured Lumbar Discs L4 to S1 (Back Disability), Scar of Residual Fragment Wound Penetrating Abdomen with Injury to Small Bowel (Scar Disability), History of Right-Arm Melanoma (Claimed as Skin Cancer)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2015
- Citation
- 1528553
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1528553.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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