Skin cancer decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, skin cancer secondary to Agent Orange exposure in service, and cancer of the larynx and tongue secondary to Agent Orange exposure in service. The claim for increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's death to active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for further development to consider squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, which were not previously considered. The claim will be evaluated under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to service, specifically denying claims for residuals of facial burns and skin cancer. The Board concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence connecting these conditions to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer as secondary to mustard gas exposure is not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his period of active duty.

The veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer due to sun exposure was denied as his evidence did not establish a plausible relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and skin cancer are not well grounded, as there is no evidence showing these conditions were present in service or are otherwise related to military service.