Skin cancer decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, peripheral neuropathies, or erectile dysfunction are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to accrued benefits and service connection for cause of death. The appellant's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disability, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and skin cancer.

The Veteran's skin disorder claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of radiation exposure and service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for emphysema and skin cancer have been withdrawn. The claim of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied.

The Veteran's current skin cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and there is no evidence suggesting a connection to Agent Orange exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on her right foot disability and hemorrhoids have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims. The effective date for a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids has been granted as June 21, 2004.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, status post-excision, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise and thus affording the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, gastrointestinal disorder (bleeding stomach and bleeding from the bowels), skin cancer, and lumbar spine disorder, all of which were claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and hypothyroidism, both of which were claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that either condition was incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and his claim for an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's skin cancer is not related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service or any other incident of his active service, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological and dental examinations, as well as any relevant treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a higher rating for skin cancer-basal cell carcinoma, facial area, and a compensable rating for residuals of excision fibroma tumor with calcification, right mandibular alveolar ridge are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and its potential impact on the Veteran's cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which may be related to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board found no evidence of skin cancer or related conditions during the Veteran's active duty service. The medical opinion concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current skin disorders were caused by herbicide exposure, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's extensive history of sun exposure, including during his active duty service in the U.S. Army, contributed to the development of basal cell carcinoma residuals. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and kidney cancer, both of which were not present in service or within many years after discharge. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and bladder cancer. The claim for skin cancer was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for bladder cancer was denied outright.

The Veteran's PTSD and skin cancer have been granted service connection. The PTSD is related to in-service stressors, while the skin cancer is linked to exposure to ionizing radiation during service.