Skin cancer decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for brain cancer was denied. His claims for increased ratings for migraine and tension headaches, as well as dyshidrotic eczema, were also denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including claimed skin melanoma and actinic keratosis, was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, a heart disorder, skin cancer, sinus disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and skin cancer, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim of secondary service connection for skin cancer as secondary to PTSD is denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for metastatic melanoma of the adrenal gland, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and the condition. The appeal is based on accrued benefits purposes.

The Board finds that the appellant has been granted service connection for actinic keratones, scalp and right earlobe. However, service connection for skin cancer is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's skin cancer, finding that it is at least in equipoise with his military service. The issue of nonservice-connected pension benefits remains pending and will be addressed after the initial rating assignment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hands was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnosis or chronicity of this condition during service or post-service.

The claim for service connection for the cause of death was reopened and it is determined that new evidence has been presented to support this claim. The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic melanoma, is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin cancer, and leukemia, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for skin cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to sunlight in service and ionizing radiation during Operation Dominic. The case is being remanded due to the need for further research on the Veteran's reported involvement in Operation Dominic and potential dose estimate of ionizing radiation exposure.

The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's skin cancer, diagnosed many years after service, is attributable to in-service sun exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for choroidal melanoma right eye, claimed as right eye prosthesis, has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, skin cancer, and bladder cancer due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran did not have service in Vietnam or exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no disability incurred in or aggravated by service caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran was exposed to radiation during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic thoracolumbar back pain and skin cancer was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, or any link between the claimed conditions and military service.