Skin cancer decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for several conditions and assigned ratings, including a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine effective March 8, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's actinic related skin disorders, including squamous cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, are directly linked to significant sun exposure during his military service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected skin disorder (Generalized dermatitis), chronic bronchitis, and pilonidal cyst. The effective date is not specified as it was a direct grant of benefits without reopening an old claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, including as due to radiation exposure in Japan during his military service, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and therefore denied. The veteran is currently rated at 50% for eczematoid dermatitis.

The Board found that the veteran's service from October 5, 1955 to February 15, 1960 did not constitute a bar to payment of VA benefits due to his discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's diagnosed malignant melanoma and metastatic brain tumor to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's actinic keratoses and skin cancer have resulted in periodic ulceration or crusting, and in periodic systemic manifestations. The skin disorder is rated at 50 percent.

The veteran's malignant melanoma of the left ear was determined to have developed as a result of exposure to sunlight during service, and thus is considered incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have a pending claim for service connection for colon cancer, liver tumors, and skin cancer at the time of his death. Therefore, the appellant's claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disability, including skin cancer, is not causally related to any in-service radiation exposure and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, PCT, skin cancer, breathing problems (COPD), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea due to exposure to Agent Orange are denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran has submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma as a result of exposure to herbicides, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis, rated at 30%, effective January 6, 1993. Service connection was also granted for residuals of skin cancer, rated at 10%, effective from January 6, 1993.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer and actinic keratosis is not well grounded, as there was no competent evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for skin cancer, loss of left kidney, sterility, and disintegrating discs secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and multiple sclerosis, finding that his claims were not well-grounded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and specifically ruled out exposure to herbicides as a contributing factor. The Board found no well-grounded claim for service connection.