Skin cancer decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the appellant was exposed to ionizing radiation during service and whether his skin cancer, hypothyroidism, or leg rash is related to such exposure.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for choroidal malignant melanoma, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange during service, is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation, including skin cancer and claimed leukemia, as there was no credible evidence of in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's knee, hip, ankle, and foot disabilities are not service-connected. The Board denied the claims of service connection for left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or skin cancer, and there is no evidence to support service connection for either condition. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and supporting medical documentation. A dermatologist is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's skin cancer had its onset during active service or is related to any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatal cancers, including laryngeal cancer, liposarcoma, and melanoma, were not caused or contributed to by his military service or any service-connected disability. The cause of death was therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple tumors and basal cell carcinoma of the forehead are not etiologically related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board found no evidence of in-service sunburn or skin conditions, and denied service connection for the veteran's current diagnoses of skin cancer and actinic keratosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for malignant melanoma and a retroactive effective date, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran was awarded service connection in January 2003 but no earlier effective date was granted.

The veteran's skin cancer is related to his service exposure to sun in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of skin cancer as a result of his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development at the RO level. He has multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and seeks service connection or increased ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent melanoma, right shoulder, with various areas of actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his desire to withdraw the appeal. As a result, no decision can be made on any of the issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin cancer to include malignant melanoma claimed as the result of Agent Orange exposure is denied. The Board found that no competent medical professional has attributed the veteran's malignant melanoma to his presumed Agent Orange exposure and/or wartime service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for skin disorders, including melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, which he claims are due to his exposure to jet fuel during military service. The case has been remanded for further evaluation by a different examiner.

The Board finds that the veteran's metastatic melanoma and left leg condition are not related to service, including due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and his DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were denied due to the lack of continuous total disability compensation for at least 5 years prior to his death.