The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin condition, including melanoma and actinic keratoses, finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service sun exposure and herbicide exposure. The Board found the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during his service in Vietnam, which allows for the presumption of exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service sun exposure and herbicide exposure consistent with the circumstances of his service and credible, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- skin condition, melanoma, actinic keratoses
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2024
- Citation
- A24057064
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 A24057064.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of June 8, 2022 for the award of service connection for a skin disability (dermatitis). This decision is based on the receipt of an intent to file dated June 8, 2022.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, to include SCC of the right hand, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to radiation during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability. Service connection for a skin condition is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, equilibrium disorder (claimed as bad balance and equilibrium), bilateral restless leg syndrome, bilateral upper extremity tremor, melanoma, and acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and Agent Orange in Japan.
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