Skin cancer decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for skin disease, including whether his current conditions are related to sun exposure during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage due to metastatic melanoma.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including chloracne, is being remanded for further examination and determination of its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and melanoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides in the Philippines.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and malignant melanoma.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have metastatic melanoma due to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for cause of death was denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure, chronic anemia as secondary to prostate cancer and Agent Orange exposure, skin cancer, lumbar spine disability, and residuals of a right leg burn have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at the local regional office.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer and a skin condition due to incomplete VA treatment records from the Allen Park VA hospital, and an additional medical opinion is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin disability, including skin cancer, and asthma. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer and rashes, but determined that it was not sufficient to establish service connection due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergies, Morton's neuroma, and thumb injuries are granted. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.