The Board denied service connection for colon cancer and skin cancer as a result of herbicide exposure, finding that there was no direct relationship between the cancers and the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions found that the types of cancer with which the Veteran has been diagnosed do not qualify for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Board determined that because these cancers are common and have multiple known risk factors unrelated to herbicide exposure, they were less likely as not related to in-service herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- colon cancer (adenocarcinoma), skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2016
- Citation
- 1603908
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 1603908.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for skin cancer to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and firefighting foam.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, including considering toxic exposure risk activities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for skin cancer. The Veteran seeks service connection based on exposure during active duty at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for skin cancer, specifically related to his exposure to herbicide agents and participation in toxic exposure risk activities. The case will be further developed with a new medical opinion.
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