The Board has granted service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma for accrued benefits purposes and for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Merkel cell carcinoma was caused by his in-service exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays due to prolonged periods of working in direct sunlight without proper protection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability (Merkel cell carcinoma), and credible evidence supported an in-service injury (exposure to UV radiation from sunlight). The medical opinions provided a nexus between the Veteran's service exposure and his diagnosis, with one physician stating there was at least a 51% probability or better that the cancer was caused by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1748113
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 1748113.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's Merkel cell carcinoma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma, finding that it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma, left knee disability, and neck disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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