Skin cancer decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he does not have currently-diagnosed skin cancer associated with his active military service. Service connection for prostate cancer is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a prostate disability that is attributable to his active military service and denies the claim of service connection for a prostate disability. The claims of service connection for digestive disability and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for skin cancer, to include malignant melanoma. The Veteran was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in March 2001 and a private physician opined that his in-service sun exposure contributed to its formation. A VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's malignant melanoma was due to cumulative effect of his sun exposure during and after service, or post-service exposure alone.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder, headaches, and skin cancer of the face have all been denied. The Board found that new evidence submitted since the final May 2004 rating decision was not material to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by service-connected conditions or exposure. The appellant will be provided a supplemental statement of the case if benefits are still denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disorder is not related to his military service, including exposure to radiation. Service connection for a skin disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, and his claim for service connection of actinic keratoses and skin cancer was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer of the arms. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals as they have been dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for cold injury residuals and skin cancer were not supported by evidence sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a condition related to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for left tympanic membrane perforation with intermittent hearing loss, polymyalgia rheumatica, and multiple skin cancers. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including as secondary to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's skin cancer and macular degeneration are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims will also be remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board finds that there is no evidence to support presumptive service connection for herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's skin condition, which may be associated with his sun exposure during active duty service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's skin disorder to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, finding it secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for skin cancer was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.