The Board has found that the Veteran's skin cancer, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), is not related to service or herbicide exposure. The scars resulting from surgical removal of these cancers are also not considered service-connected.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided an opinion that the Veteran's skin cancer was more likely due to post-service prolonged sun exposure and other factors, rather than service.
- Claimed conditions
- melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1742148
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 1742148.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, to include SCC of the right hand, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to radiation during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, equilibrium disorder (claimed as bad balance and equilibrium), bilateral restless leg syndrome, bilateral upper extremity tremor, melanoma, and acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and Agent Orange in Japan.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed blood clots in the left leg. The claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) remains denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and melanoma. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to herbicides at Fort McClellan, but the evidence did not establish actual exposure.
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