Skin cancer decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, skin cancer, was not caused or aggravated by service and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer in June 1981, finding no link to his service. The most recent evidence does not provide a new or significant link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, skin cancer (including Bowen's disease of the penis and probable squamous cell carcinoma of the left hand), and lupus with disorders of the chest, back, legs, and feet due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for an eye disorder are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for scheduling a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO due to his request.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, pancreatitis, and a digestive disorder (Crohn's disease, IBS, and/or colon problems) as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA health care system was denied due to his assignment to Priority Group 8, which is reserved for veterans with lower incomes or special medical needs. The veteran does not have a service-connected disability and has declined to provide financial information.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder and/or skin cancer, finding no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The Board also found that there was no link between any current skin condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The dental condition is not related to service, but VA provided dentures in 1961 after he underwent extractions for a duodenal ulcer.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is related to service, specifically to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran also has skin cancer which may be linked to his exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer on the left arm as secondary to ultraviolet light therapy received to treat service-connected psoriasis, and for a dental disorder. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for varicose veins of the left leg was also denied. The issue regarding an increased disability rating for varicose veins after March 14, 2005 remains pending.

The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's left knee disability and a 20 percent rating for his right shoulder disability. The skin condition claim was not addressed as it is separate from the increase in ratings.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to service-connected conditions and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection for malignant melanoma is granted, as it is likely due to excessive sun exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have permanent total disability due to a service-connected condition. Therefore, the appellant is not eligible for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The veteran is seeking service connection for skin cancer, which he claims was caused by sun exposure during World War II. The claim has been remanded due to the need to obtain more recent medical records from Dr. Aronberg.

The veteran's skin cancer is found to be incurred in active military service. Service connection for PTSD as secondary to the service connected tonsillectomy is denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for diminished sex drive, gastroesophageal reflex disorder (GERD), aching joints, ulcers, COPD, hypertension, conjunctivitis, sleep apnea, melanoma, and dermatitis. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal metastatic malignant melanoma was not related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of death.