Skin cancer decisions — 2005

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise, and by extending the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, service connection for skin cancer is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and arthritis of the ankles, finding no evidence of these conditions during service or related to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's skin cancer is found to be incurred as a consequence of active service due to lifetime sun exposure. The hearing loss issue remains pending for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right cheek is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The veteran's death was caused by metastatic melanoma, which is not service-connected. The appellant does not meet the criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, COPD, melanoma, and thrombophlebitis were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for schizophrenia was also denied.

The veteran's skin cancer, nausea and cramping of the stomach and intestinal area, bleeding of the rectal area, arthritis, internal hemorrhaging, nerve condition, diabetes mellitus, anemia, lung and/or respiratory condition, liver condition, gallbladder condition, restless bowel syndrome, and diverticulitis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer and cataracts claimed as secondary to radiation exposure during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression, an itching condition, skin cancer, and refractive error and/or presbyopia (claimed as bad eyesight) have been denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and missing medical records. The veteran's skin disorder may be related to service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it began in service or is otherwise the result of a disease or injury in service. The veteran's gastric adenocarcinoma may also be related to exposure to ionizing radiation, but more information from Dr. Edwards is needed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma and postoperative residuals of melanoma remain unresolved.,VA has not made a determination on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected tinea versicolor and service connection for skin cancer. The case must be remanded to obtain VA treatment records, provide VCAA notice, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, but the decision is considered to have been correctly applied based on the facts and law at the time.

The Board has granted service connection for metastatic malignant melanoma and post-operative residuals, allowing the appellant to receive accrued benefits. The cause of death due to metastatic malignant melanoma is also supported.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the skin cancer service connection claim.

The VA denied service connection for residuals of a hip injury and skin cancer, to include as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current hip condition or skin cancer to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine if his chronic skin disorders are related to service, including inservice sun exposure. The veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for actinic keratoses and basal cell skin cancer due to new evidence received since the August 1993 rating decision. The issue now moves forward to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection for various conditions, including NHL residuals, as well as his claim for compensation due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.