Skin cancer decisions — 2012

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer and tumors were not related to active service or to Agent Orange exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of tremors of the left hand, obesity, bilateral hearing loss, and melanoma of the right shoulder have been withdrawn. The remaining claim of entitlement to service connection for melanoma of the right shoulder is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the claim of service connection for skin cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as depression). The other issues on appeal are not addressed due to the resolution of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by malignant melanoma, which is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as there was no evidence of radiation exposure and the conditions were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of exposure to ionizing radiation and further examination regarding hypertension. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's skin cancer residuals are found to be incurred in active service due to extensive sunlight exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is service connected, but his death was not caused by a condition related to service.

The Veteran's tonsil cancer is found to be due to herbicide exposure in service, and the claim for malignant melanoma is denied as not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, chronic mild low back pain, and skin cancer of the face, right ear, and arms (to include as due to exposure to chemical dioxins). The appeals are based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of skin cancer is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and mesothelioma, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his active service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that there is reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his military service, including exposure to diesel fuel and sun during service. As such, the claim for service connection for skin cancer is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent evaluation, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Veteran's skin cancer claim is being remanded for further development, including verification of his unit presence during Operation REDWING and obtaining dose information from official sources.

The Veteran's skin cancers are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a dose estimate of ionizing radiation exposure and clarification on the type of cataracts he has.