Skin cancer decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and skin cancer were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides or ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection for cause of death, including potential exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include multiple knee conditions, a scalp laceration, and restrictive airway disease. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding his new claims and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, malignant melanoma on the right upper chest and shoulder, headaches, a right index finger cyst/histiocytoma, and an impaired immune system were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not incurred during military service, within a year thereafter, or as the result of an incident therein. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's ionizing radiation exposure and his current diagnosis of skin cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for skin cancer (malignant melanoma), status post skin graft with scar was denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim to reopen prior to May 8, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not entitled to service connection for residuals of cold injury, including peripheral neuropathy and osteoarthritis of the hands, or skin cancer at the time of his death. Therefore, accrued benefits claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various cancers have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's headaches, disability manifested by choking and difficulty swallowing (GERD), and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to service. However, the Veteran's skin cancer is not considered service-connected as it was not shown during service or within one year of separation.

The Board found no evidence of radiation exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of a nexus between his skin conditions and active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the glaucoma claim, and determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including as a result of exposure to herbicides, are being remanded due to incomplete service records and changes in procedures for verifying Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bone cancer, finding that such was legally precluded due to the nature of the Veteran's claim and the timing of his claims.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer was not manifested during his active duty and is not related to his military service, including sun exposure.

The Veteran's melanoma or skin cancer was not incurred in service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a bladder tumor and skin cancer were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any exposure to Agent Orange, asbestos, or sunlight during service.

The Board found that the appellant's melanoma and acne were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor are they presumed to be due to exposure to chemical dioxins. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's melanoma is manifested by one characteristic disfigurement of a scar on his left cheek measuring three centimeters by one centimeter, and he is granted an initial 10 percent rating for this condition.