Skin cancer decisions — 2004

The case is being remanded to the RO for a VA examination to assess muscle damage and assign appropriate disability ratings. The veteran's claim remains pending.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, status post excision of melanoma, and an earlier effective date for dermatitis. The decision also addressed his claim for increased ratings for dermatitis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including squamous cell skin cancer and prurigo nodularis, is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding service connection for skin cancers, including as due to exposure in service to Agent Orange. The appellant was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam and developed skin cancers in 1998-99. The Secretary of VA has indicated that a presumption of service connection based upon exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam is not warranted for any form of skin cancer. A medical opinion is needed to determine the relationship between the appellant's post-service skin cancers and his exposure to Agent Orange or solar radiation.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was metastatic malignant melanoma, which is not service-connected. The right knee disorder, if present, did not contribute to his death.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to inconsistencies in the veteran's flight records and dose estimates, as well as recent treatment records for skin cancer. The claim will be remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's skin cancers and his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, including a respiratory disorder and skin cancer. Additional development is required before these claims can be fully reviewed.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had been continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of at least ten years immediately preceding his death. As such, DIC benefits were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's skin cancer was not incurred in service and is not related to herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher (compensable) rating for residuals of excision of skin cancer of the right foot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation in service. The appellant must be advised of her responsibilities regarding medical evidence and VA will make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records.

The veteran seeks service connection for skin cancer and prostate cancer, claimed as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding dose estimates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and thyroid carcinoma (claimed as throat cancer), finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that there was no positive association between exposure to herbicides and any other condition.

The Board found that the veteran's skin cancer is not related to service or excessive sun exposure and DDT, and denied his claim.