The Board denied service connection for intracranial subdural hematomas and squamous cell carcinoma, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was also denied for a thyroid disability (including thyroid isthmusectomy) and loss of sense of taste, both secondary to nonservice-connected squamous cell carcinoma; and for a heart disability (claimed as atrial fibrillation), also secondary to nonservice-connected squamous cell carcinoma.,The Board found that the Veteran's intracranial subdural hematomas and squamous cell carcinoma did not have onset in service or due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied on this basis.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions, as there is no clear link between the Veteran's military service and his current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- intracranial subdural hematomas, squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid disability (including thyroid isthmusectomy), loss of sense of taste, heart disability (claimed as atrial fibrillation)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20066526
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for skin cancer was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the claim for squamous cell carcinoma was granted.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for headaches and remanded claims for service connection for various other conditions, including open angle glaucoma, sensorineural hearing loss, asthma, heart disease, bladder cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active service, including conceded in-service exposure to Agent Orange.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that squamous cell carcinoma was a complication of his service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa.
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