The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's Merkel cell carcinoma to his service, specifically his exposure to sunlight in Libya. The appellant and her son have provided statements supporting this claim, but the STRs are incomplete. A VA medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's cancer.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran’s Merkel cell carcinoma to his service due to incomplete STRs and a lack of objective documentation.
- Claimed conditions
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2020
- Citation
- A20017063
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A20017063.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's Merkel cell carcinoma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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