The Veteran's skin cancers and numerous melanomas are related to his military service, but the initial rating for his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus is denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted based on evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's current skin conditions and his exposure to sun during military service. The initial rating for DMII remains at 20 percent as there is no evidence of regulation of activities required by the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- skin cancers, numerous melanomas
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19137726
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,515 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19137726.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are outstanding records from private providers related to the Veteran's skin cancer treatment, and therefore remands the case for further action.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left hand tremors, prostate disorder, status post precancerous lymphoma removal, hypertension, and skin cancers. The reasons include potential exposure to Agent Orange during active duty in Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancers and chronic fatigue syndrome are related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange or other toxins. The claims for these conditions will be further developed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal concerning the claims of skin cancers, migraines, sinusitis, and COPD has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.
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