The Veteran's service connection claim for a residual scar on his head due to a surgical procedure for nodular basal cell carcinoma is granted, as the condition can be considered incurred in or aggravated during active military service under the PACT Act.
The deciding factor: The Veteran served in Iraq and was exposed to burn pits. His cancer meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.
- Claimed conditions
- residual scar on the head, nodular basal cell carcinoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26037072
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 A26037072.
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 Veteran was granted a temporary evaluation of 100 percent for nodular basal cell carcinoma s/p MOHS procedure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed skin conditions, including whether they are related to his active duty service or herbicide agent exposure.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disabilities, including seborrheic dermatitis, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and nodular basal cell carcinoma, are etiologically related to service exposure to sunburn and blisters in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, low back pain, and a residual scar on the head have been reopened. The appeals are granted to this extent only.
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