The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is denied as there is no recognized association between herbicide exposure and skin cancer. The claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy are granted with initial ratings of 10 percent each prior to July 21, 2015, and subsequently rated at 40 percent each from that date onwards.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's skin cancer is not recognized as being associated with herbicide exposure. The medical evidence does not support a current diagnosis of skin cancer. For the lower extremity neuropathy claims, the initial ratings were granted based on mild incomplete paralysis and subsequently increased to 40 percent each due to moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- skin cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18149798
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 18149798.
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 Board denied service connection for skin cancer and a disorder manifested by urinary frequency, finding no evidence of current disability or sufficient link to the Veteran's active service.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for skin cancer was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the claim for squamous cell carcinoma was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and cataracts, as due to exposure to herbicide agents, prior to August 10, 2022, for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to new and relevant evidence having been received.
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.