The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for melanoma of the left chest and squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple and above the left eyebrow, both linked to Agent Orange exposure.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide a thorough or reasoned opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions as related to his conceded exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- melanoma of the left chest, squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple and above the left eyebrow
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23023687
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 23023687.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for melanoma of the left chest and squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple and above the left eyebrow, finding a link to herbicide exposure in service. The issue regarding a lymph node disability, diagnosed as esophageal cancer, was remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two cases involving the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma of the left chest and squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple and above the left eyebrow, both linked to Agent Orange exposure. The decision also notes that the Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the left tongue base may be related to these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's melanoma of the left chest and squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple and above the left eyebrow were not found to be related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
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