The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's melanoma with lung metastasis is related to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran contends that his melanoma was caused by or highly consistent with herbicide agent exposure, but a negative opinion cannot be based solely on the fact that melanoma is not on the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that while presumptive service connection for melanoma due to herbicide exposure is foreclosed, direct service connection may still be established. The Veteran's contentions regarding his herbicide agent exposure must be addressed in a direct service connection context since presumptive service connection is foreclosed.
- Claimed conditions
- Melanoma with lung metastasis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21010864
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 21010864.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during his time in Vietnam.
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