Skin cancer decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer of the right temple and a left eye disorder, finding that neither condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a skin disorder, including lipomas and skin cancer. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the appropriate disposition of his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer and PTSD, but denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver.,Competent medical evidence does not support a finding that PTSD currently exists.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected facial scars and cervical spine disc narrowing.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions due to exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder other than chronic dermatitis of the right hand, to include skin cancer. The claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic dermatitis of the right hand and for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound, right shoulder, muscle group I, were also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's prostate and skin cancers were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's malignant melanoma of the back or his psychiatric disorder, as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and a kidney disorder, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The medical evidence did not establish current diagnoses of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia, prostate cancer, and skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation during service is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing within the requested timeframe. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities, including duodenal ulcer disease, malignant melanoma, sleep apnea, enlarged prostate, and Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland, are not established as service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by exposure to ionizing or non-ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, concluding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been caused by exposure to radiation.

The veteran's skin cancer of the lower lip and forehead is a radiogenic disease. The claim will be remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision is not in compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and requires additional development before a final determination can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of melanoma and there is no evidence linking any skin disorder to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The back disorder claim also lacks sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The veteran's right ankle disorder remains at a 20 percent evaluation. Claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy are denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also denied for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, both secondary to diabetes mellitus, is denied. The veteran's right ankle disorder remains at 20 percent evaluation. Service connection for a low back disorder and skin cancer are denied as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and left eye melanoma, both linked to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.