Skin cancer decisions — 2010

The Veteran's skin cancer did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and the Board finds that it is not related to exposure to Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection for skin cancer is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and other relevant factors, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting further examinations. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence, and the gap between separation from service and diagnosis of hypertension is significant.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that are related to his service, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against all claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and bullous pemphigoid were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange or DDT. Service connection for residuals of frostbite was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer due to radiation exposure should be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and may not be presumed to have had its onset in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for skin cancer was denied.

The Veteran's metastatic melanoma and brain cancer are not service-connected, and his malaria is not compensable. The cause of death was listed as acute myocardial infarction with underlying causes including metastatic melanoma and brain metastasis.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC, accrued benefits, and VA death pension due to lack of evidence of a pending claim at the time of her husband's death. The Veteran was not service-connected for any conditions prior to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of colon cancer and skin cancer/melanoma of the neck are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has not specifically determined a positive association between herbicide exposure and these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and skin cancer. The evidence does not show current diagnoses of these conditions or any in-service events that would support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not participate in a radiation-risk activity during service and therefore, he is not considered a radiation-exposed veteran. As such, his claims for service connection for skin cancer and acute myelogenous leukemia cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and malignant melanoma of the right lung as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, melanoma and skin cancer of the neck and right cheek, atrial fibrillation, sterility, bilateral hearing loss, and nose disability have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's request for service connection for residuals of skin cancer, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was caused by metastatic malignant melanoma, which is related to sun exposure during his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the ears and arms, and for a pulmonary/respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to Agent Orange exposure and denied diabetes mellitus for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder is being remanded due to the failure to attend a VA examination and the need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current skin disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorders, including skin cancer and actinic keratoses, were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of military service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to post-service sun exposure over an 86-year period.