The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a direct link between the Veteran’s active duty service and his subsequent development of skin cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- Merkel cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002904
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a skin disability, to include basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, stucco keratosis, and seborrheic keratosis, as well as a right thoracic back circular scar, to include as secondary to treatment for basal cell carcinoma.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma, leukocytosis, and liver condition but granted reinstatement of a 40% rating for right and left knee limitations of extension effective November 1, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for basal cell carcinoma and granted a separate 10 percent rating for a painful scar.
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