Skin cancer decisions — 2000

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The evidence now shows that the veteran was exposed to radioactive materials at Hanford, and his basal cell carcinomas are believed to be related to this exposure.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation due to a lack of clarity in the dose estimate data provided by the Defense Nuclear Agency (DTRA). The Court instructed the Board to seek clarification from DTRA regarding the range of doses pertinent to the veteran's unit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, skin cancer, and a skin rash. The decision found no diagnosed psychiatric or physical conditions during service, and there was insufficient evidence to link any current conditions to military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is the result of acoustic trauma during service and has been granted service connection. The left ankle disorder and skin cancer with a benign mole in the preauricular area are not found to be related to service.

The Board dismissed the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and for skin cancer and a rash on the feet due to lack of timely appeal. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis in accordance with DSM-IV.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to malignant melanoma, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, a personality disorder, degenerative joint disease of the back, skin cancer of the arms and shoulders, partial removal of the liver and intestines, urinary bladder disorder, gall bladder disorder, prostate disorder, gunshot wound of the left hand and left ankle, and residuals of fractures of the ribs. The Board found that there was no confirmed diagnosis of a personality disorder in the record.

The veteran's skin cancer is determined to be due to radiation exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and denied service connection for skin cancer of the scalp.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches and skin cancers, as well as his claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for skin cancer and prostate cancer as secondary to ionizing radiation exposure, denying both claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection for skin cancer as secondary to Agent Orange exposure was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma, both due to exposure to ionizing radiation, are being remanded for further development under VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including cancer, keratosis, and cysts, due to Agent Orange exposure is denied as his claim is not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and malignant melanoma, both secondary to inservice exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,For peripheral neuropathy, the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The claim was instead based on presumed service connection under Agent Orange Act provisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysematous breathing and skin cancer, both claimed as due to exposure to mustard gas. The evidence did not support a finding of full-body exposure to any vesicant agents during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and also denied accrued benefits based on unemployability prior to his death. The appellant did not submit a well-grounded claim for either issue.

The Board has determined that the appellant's solar keratoses (pre-cancerous) of the forehead and scalp, excessive tooth loss with bone loss, and fragile skin with excessive bruising are related to service exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for ichthyosis and skin cancer due to herbicide exposure are well-grounded. The question of direct service connection based upon continuity of symptomatology will be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's malignant melanoma, which caused his death in October 1980, was related to his exposure to sunlight during service. As a result, the cause of the veteran's death is now considered service-connected.