The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant skin neoplasms (claimed as basal cell carcinoma) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his GERD.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for the claimed conditions, as there is no medical nexus linking them to service.,VA must consider whether the Veteran's GERD is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The VA has not provided such an opinion in this case.,The Board notes that osteoporosis is not among the conditions presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, but VA must also consider direct service connection for these conditions. The VA has not provided opinions on whether the Veteran's back condition is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his GERD.
- Claimed conditions
- malignant skin neoplasms (claimed as basal cell carcinoma (to include squamous cell)), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23016521
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23016521.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
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.