The Veteran's skin cancer and kidney disability were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Both conditions are currently diagnosed, but the evidence does not support a finding that they are directly related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not establish a direct link between the Veteran's current skin cancer and kidney disability and his military service. The diagnoses were not shown during service or within one year of separation, and there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Skin Cancer, Kidney Removal (due to Renal Cancer and Renal Failure)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2017
- Citation
- 1719543
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 1719543.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's ESRD is denied as not related to service, including herbicide agent exposure. The skin cancer of the right ear remains under remand for further evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including left thumb, left wrist, right hip, back, and sciatic nerve conditions, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension was denied, and the issue of service connection for skin cancer is remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his blood pressure readings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and skin cancer due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA will need to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service, particularly considering the Veteran's weight gain and potential herbicide exposure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.