Skin cancer decisions — 2010

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, including a separate 10 percent evaluation for loss of extension. The current 10 percent rating for impairment of the knee remains in effect.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have skin cancer as a result of his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to metastatic malignant melanoma and hepatic failure, which the VA medical opinions suggest were not caused by service or within one year following discharge. The appellant argued for presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure, but the VA medical opinions found this unlikely.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's exposure claims and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected skin cancer with residual scars is manifested by repeated ulceration affecting five areas of his head and face that are painful, discolored, and occasionally become open lesions. The Board finds the Veteran's disability warrants a 30 percent rating under DCs 7800, 7803, and 7804.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service, including exposure to VX nerve agent. Service connection for all conditions is denied.

The Veteran's death from metastatic desmoplastic malignant melanoma is being remanded for a VA clinical opinion to determine if it was causally related to his service, including exposure to the sun and a second degree sunburn in June 1970.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer of the left ear, right eyebrow, nose, left shoulder, and neck as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The only diagnosed form of skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma found in 2005 on the left posterior neck.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer, including malignant melanomas and basal cell carcinomas, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service and his current skin cancer.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including the left ear, left forearm, right side of the nose, upper and lower back, and lip, has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 8, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and hearing loss have been granted.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a verified stressor. The claim for metastatic malignant melanoma in the lymph nodes of the right arm was not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board denied service connection for left inguinal hernia and melanoma, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of skin cancer have been rated at 30 percent since September 26, 2000. The rating has now been increased to 80 percent effective from June 19, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple skin conditions, including malignant melanoma and other dermatological issues, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the nature and etiology of his skin disorders. The issue centers on whether these conditions are related to his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and skin cancer, finding no current diagnosis of either condition. The claim for hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence of a disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for skin cancer was denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service or any other event of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher evaluations were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral foot itching/fungus disability and the Veteran's melanomas/skin cancers are not related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer and granted an increased rating from 10 to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, effective July 20, 2006. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of his claims.