Skin cancer decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and nevus were not incurred or aggravated during active service, including exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there was no evidence of such exposure during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a laryngectomy, nicotine dependence, and skin cancers. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a laryngectomy, and it was determined that nicotine dependence did not result from service or is no longer present, and skin cancers were not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, including arthritis; skin cancer; and prostate cancer, all of which were secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current skin disorders are related to service, including his inservice actinic keratosis. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a malignant melanoma of the right foot, finding that it is not related to herbicide exposure in service and thus cannot be presumed or granted based on such exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, finding no competent evidence linking the condition to his service-connected burn scars or any incident of service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his lung cancer and myocardial infarction were not caused by or substantially contributed to by an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the appellant did not appeal the original denial in February 1985 and that the claim was received by the RO on February 23, 1999.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death due to metastatic malignant melanoma, finding that there was no reasonable possibility that the veteran's melanoma or squamous cell skin cancer could be attributed to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The veteran's melanoma is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous and basal cell skin cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to Agent Orange. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer, finding that the veteran's current condition was not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to the Board's decision.

The veteran's skin cancer and tinnitus were found to be related to service, but the original compensable rating for allergic rhinitis with sinusitis was denied. The claim for a skin disorder other than skin cancer was reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's actinic skin disease and skin cancer, effective from August 30, 2002. The disability was previously rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer, claimed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service, was not incurred or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner specifically discounted such a connection, attributing it to chronic sun exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer due to radiation exposure and for allergies, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or a nexus between current conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, finding that the veteran's current disability is related to his naval service where he was exposed to long hours in the sun.