The Veteran's malaria claim is denied. The Board finds reasonable doubt in the bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot) claim and grants service connection. Service connection for residuals of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is granted. Service connection for actinic keratosis and sebaceous cysts, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is denied. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopic surgery, and lumbar spine condition are found to be related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds reasonable doubt in the diagnosis of malaria due to lack of medical evidence supporting a current diagnosis. However, the Veteran's testimony is consistent with his service experience and credible, raising a reasonable doubt that he contracted malaria during service. Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot) is granted as there is sufficient evidence to raise a reasonable doubt in favor of its onset or aggravation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Malaria, Bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot), Residuals of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, Actinic keratosis and sebaceous cysts, Left knee degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopic surgery, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbar spine osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1733121
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 1733121.
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
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