Skin cancer decisions — 2011

The Veteran seeks service connection for skin cancer, which he claims is related to in-service herbicide exposure. The RO denied the claim but remanded it due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% schedular evaluation for metastatic melanoma and lentigo maligna melanoma of the upper sternum, effective from January 1, 2010. The reduction in rating was improper due to failure to comply with VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional private medical records from a dermatologist. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Paget's disease, claimed as skin cancer, will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation during active service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for skin cancer and lung scarring, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's recurrent skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma, is found to be related to sun exposure incurred during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's malignant melanoma is not related to his military service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation in service and the Veteran's malignant melanoma was not present during or for many years after service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's malignant melanoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it proximately due to or a result of exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's accrued benefits claims for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the service connection claims, and there was no established link between any of these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its likely etiology, including whether it is related to his service exposure. The claim will be re-adjudicated after the examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The claims to reopen for multiple myeloma, residuals of a left heel fracture, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, skin cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of skin cancer.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain VA medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA dermatology examination in order to determine if he has a current skin disability, including skin cancer, related to his active service. The Veteran's DD form 214 indicates he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam Era, which provides him with presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing and the need to issue a statement of the case for his nonservice-connected pension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion on whether his basal cell carcinoma is causally related to service, specifically sun exposure in Vietnam and Thailand.

The Veteran died from metastatic melanoma, and the appellant is seeking service connection for this cause of death. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of compliance with previous court orders and an inadequate opinion from the Under Secretary.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not found to be related to his service or herbicide exposure. His eczematous dermatitis is considered a secondary condition and the Board did not find it related to service.

The Veteran's skin cancer, to include residuals of skin cancer, was not diagnosed in service or for many years thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his current skin cancer is related to service, including herbicide exposure.