Skin cancer decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the January 2000 rating decision denying service connection for infected eyelids, vision loss, and facial skin cancer due to mustard gas exposure. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence linking his current conditions, including colon cancer with metastasis to the lungs and atherosclerotic vascular disease with coronary insufficiency, to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Board found that there was no reasonable possibility that these conditions were caused by such exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma and lymphoma were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the veteran's malignant melanoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, epidido-orchitis and a varicocele, and a skin disorder. Service connection was granted for hypertension/heart disorder and hypercholesteremia, but both were not shown during or within one year after service.

The Board finds that the veteran's recurrent skin cancer is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer was not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right uveal melanoma with lung metastases, finding that it was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board found no additional disability associated with the veteran's melanoma that was a result of VA treatment, and thus denied compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for malignant melanoma of the neck, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for skin disorders other than skin cancer has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and skin cancer of the nose are presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's obstructive lung disease with emphysema and bronchiectasis is granted a rating of 30 percent.

The Board found that the evidence is in approximate balance, with positive and negative medical opinions on whether the veteran's malignant melanoma was caused by exposure to herbicide during service. The claim is therefore considered granted for some issues but denied for others.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development regarding the veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer, including a determination on his exposure to ionizing radiation while guarding nuclear weapons during Operation REDWING.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no convincing evidence to show that his self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to any disability incurred in service or otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with metastasis, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and not related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board also determined that the veteran did not have a service-connected disability that contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for psoriatic arthritis and melanoma, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot hallux valgus, low back disorder, and bilateral hip disorder are all service-connected. The skin cancer claim is denied.