The Board denied service connection for kidney cancer and skin cancer, finding that the conditions did not manifest within a presumptive period or due to herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's kidney cancer was first diagnosed in 1983, many years after his separation from service. The VA examiner concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a connection between the Veteran’s herbicide agent exposure and his kidney cancer.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion found no causal link between the Veteran's herbicide agent exposure and his diagnosed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- status post left nephrectomy with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), squamous cell carcinoma of the left ear, cancer of the left forearm (skin cancer)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21012864
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 21012864.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left ear and transurethral resection of bladder cancer as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to his service, including any exposure to herbicides.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and squamous cell carcinoma of the left ear, both presumed due to exposure to burn pits during military service in Southwest Asia. The other issues are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure, as there is no presumption of association with such exposures. The Veteran needs a medical opinion on whether his kidney cancer and skin cancers are related to his specific exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left ear, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service. The other issues are remanded due to need for additional development and examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.