Skin cancer decisions — 2012

The Board found that the service-connected postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with residuals of back pain did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death from metastatic malignant melanoma. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin cancer, attributing it to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and it is determined that the skin disorder (other than skin cancer) is not due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination report and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's skin cancer claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Board finds that skin cancer of the head, neck, back, and nose had its onset during active service due to sun exposure. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for melanoma, spindle cell type, and memory loss. The Veteran's melanoma was not shown to be related to his military service or exposure to Malathion. His memory loss is considered a symptom of his PTSD.,Service connection cannot be established as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's melanoma or memory loss are causally linked to his military service, including any potential exposure to Malathion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is at least partly incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 80%, which meets the percentage requirements for schedular TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is individually unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for hypertension and skin disorder, as well as his TDIU claim. The effective date of the TDIU grant was set at November 5, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, rosacea, vertigo, skin cancer (lump removed from head and face), vitiligo, and an eye disorder have been previously denied. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for gunshot/shrapnel wound residuals of the neck and buttocks. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed right leg disorder. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed left leg disorder. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer) and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness and left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The issues also include entitlement to service connection for gunshot/shrapnel wound residuals of the neck and buttocks, right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, and left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, severe headaches, bilateral numbness in upper and lower extremities (hands and feet), acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, and skin cancer. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions regarding his skin conditions and dental issues.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for malignant melanoma has been reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 50% evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of his claim.,He is also entitled to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, with a current evaluation of 40%. His TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and the proximity of Camp McIntyre to the DMZ. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his skin cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's metastatic melanoma, which caused his death in March 2009, is related to service exposure to sunlight during active duty in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer and thyroid disorder are not related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current skin cancer or thyroid disorder and his military service.