The Veteran's neck disability is not service-connected as it did not occur in service and there is no evidence of a chronic condition. The current diagnosis is related to an on-the-job injury after separation from service.,The Veteran's basal cell skin cancer was diagnosed many years after service, and the VA examiner concluded that exposure to herbicides during service is not associated with causing this type of skin cancer.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence in service records or post-service medical records indicating a chronic neck disability. The current diagnosis is attributed to an on-the-job injury after separation from service.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is more likely due to UV exposure before and after his military service, rather than herbicide exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- neck disability, basal cell skin cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2018
- Citation
- 18148940
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 18148940.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, as an appellant's claim does not survive their death.
- Denied
The Veteran was awarded service connection for allergic rhinitis based on the PACT Act, but an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, is not warranted.
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