Skin cancer decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and pilonidal cyst was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal disability claim, and the denial of hepatitis was final.

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

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, including as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The RO is instructed to consider the mandates of the Court Order, particularly the May 2003 NRC Report.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation due to an unfavorable opinion from the Director of Compensation and Pension Service based on a reconstructed dose estimate made prior to the institution of new methodology.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder including skin cancer, finding that there was no proven exposure to toxic gases or radiation in service and concluding that his current skin problems were not caused by any incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and lung disability, both claimed as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation and asbestos. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not have skin cancer and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disability did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection. The lung disability was also denied, as there is no evidence linking it to service. The skin cancer claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a medical examination and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims as he is deceased.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional action by the RO, including obtaining private medical records and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty in dose estimates of ionizing radiation exposure during service. The appellant must provide any pertinent evidence and the RO should obtain new dose estimates using a methodology endorsed by the National Research Council.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and increased evaluations for pes planus and anxiety reaction, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for actinic keratosis and a blood dyscrasia as resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a shrapnel wound to the right knee and excision of melanoma due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right knee was not supported by medical evidence of a current disability, while his claim for excision of melanoma was denied as there is no direct service connection or new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's pulmonary metastases were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may their incurrence during service be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, chills, exposure to leeches on the stomach and legs, shrapnel wounds to the arm and legs, malaria, head injury, skin cancer, and tinea pedis (jungle rot of the feet), were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and evidence.