Skin cancer decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 17, 2004, for the grant of service connection for malignant melanoma secondary to sun exposure was denied. The Board found that there is no legal basis for the award of an earlier effective date.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of skin cancers was denied. The issue regarding the reopening of a previously denied low back disorder claim was also denied. No new and material evidence was found to reopen this claim.

The veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for lentigo maligna melanoma is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to sun exposure during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma and atopic dermatitis, as well as his requests for increased ratings for right foot disabilities. The appeals were not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notification and because VA treatment records from Durham VAMC need to be obtained for a skin condition.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disorder and melanoma, finding that the disorders are related to exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of skin cancer or chloracne, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and skin cancer of the face and forearms. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral choroidal melanoma, finding that it did not result from his in-service herbicide exposure and was not related to any disease or injury incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, thoracic spine disorder, and broken left ankle as they are not shown to be causally related to his period of active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a malignancy, claimed as myeloma with loss of use of the left arm due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that multiple myeloma was not shown and therefore could not be granted based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange. Malignant melanoma was also denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer and granted it. The veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer, both found to be related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. Service connection was denied for bladder cancer and blood disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The veteran's service-connected dyshidrosis with hyperhidrosis is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to missing medical records and incomplete information. The AMC/RO must obtain all relevant VA medical records, including pathology reports and tissue slides, and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of skin cancer or a right knee disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer and heart disability are not related to service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the cause of death and potential service connection for a skin disorder that may have contributed to the veteran's metastatic melanoma.