Skin cancer decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by exposure to asbestos, Agent Orange, or radiation in service. As a result, service connection for the cause of death is denied and therefore, there is no basis for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO. The veteran's representative requests that the appeal be remanded again to complete this action.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of medical evidence linking the veteran's death to his service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma of the left ear, right arm, lymph nodes and spleen, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is denied because there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his period of service or to exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's Arnold-Chiari malformation, skin cancer on the left ear, and sleep apnea were not incurred in or aggravated during his active military service. Service connection was denied for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, metastatic malignant melanoma, was not caused by or related to his service-connected conditions. The Board also determined there was no evidence of Agent Orange exposure during service.

The veteran's cause of death was not related to service or any inservice exposure, and the Board denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his claim for accrued benefits based on a diagnosis of malignant melanoma due to radiation exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, but denied service connection for all other forms of skin cancer (other than squamous cell carcinoma) due to lack of evidence linking them to service or exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased evaluation for frostbite residuals and service connection for diabetes, peripheral vascular disease with triple bypass, arthritis, skin cancer, and bilateral cataracts due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disability of the arms and legs manifested by loss of sensation and drawing of muscles, as well as his claim for service connection for melanoma due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to a failure to comply with regulations regarding service connection for radiation exposure and skin cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, foot disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and skin cancer are not well grounded as there is no competent clinical evidence of a nexus between any current disability and active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim for bilateral hearing loss, dental condition, cervical spine condition, or arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, basic eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, and entitlement to service-connected VA burial benefits are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a disorder manifested by memory loss are well grounded, and the case is remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death is not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's fatal conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and a cancerous growth on the right side of the head are not well grounded.,Regarding PTSD, the Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria to establish service connection due to lack of combat experience or verified stressor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the initial 50 percent evaluation assigned for PTSD was proper.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, prostate cancer, and skin cancer as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation during atmospheric nuclear weapon testing in service. The claim was not well-grounded due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, facial scars, and left leg scars due to lack of new and material evidence for the skin cancer claim. The other issues were not well-grounded.