Skin cancer Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney condition and malignant melanoma of the skin due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange is a key factor in both cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service connection claims for skin cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a causal relationship to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation and service connection was denied due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request.

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.

The Veteran's melanoma is granted service connection. Service connection for skin cancer other than melanoma is remanded.

The Veteran's ESRD is denied as not related to service, including herbicide agent exposure. The skin cancer of the right ear remains under remand for further evaluation.

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.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, and skin condition (including skin cancer) disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for skin cancer has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right knee strain with limitation of flexion, and an initial compensable rating for right knee strain with limitation of extension. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected posterior trunk scar, status post excision of malignant melanoma, is rated as noncompensable and denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and melanoma. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to herbicides at Fort McClellan, but the evidence did not establish actual exposure.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, complete hysterectomy, peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, and skin cancer are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records from Jefferson City Health and Rehabilitation Center, which could provide information about the Veteran's diagnosis of melanoma.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD and skin cancer. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and a respiratory condition (COPD) are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma on the forehead, and melanoma on the right ear due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea is not presumed, but he may still establish direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, type II, and skin cancer due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The AOJ is instructed to develop the record further regarding the Veteran's claimed locations prior to boarding the USS Coral Sea and obtain a medical opinion on the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and skin cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her scars has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.