Skin cancer decisions — 2013

The Veteran's skin cancer and foot disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about possible in-service radiation exposure. The claims will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer, finding no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The claim was also denied for hypertension.

The Board found no evidence of skin cancer during service or for many years thereafter, and the medical expert opinion concluded that the Veteran's diagnosed skin disorder is less likely related to herbicide exposure. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing via videoconference at a local VA office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, high triglycerides and cholesterol, chronic obesity, poor blood circulation, dry mouth, Gulf War Syndrome, polyps, gastrointestinal disorder, eye disability, respiratory disorder, heart disease, skin cancer, varicose veins, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The reasons were provided based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and skin cancer of the face and right shoulder are being remanded due to incomplete information or evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to skin cancer and residuals of malaria. The Board found that there was an approximate balance of evidence for and against the claims as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees, and degenerative joint disease of the low back began during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection for skin cancer could be decided as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining information about potential exposure to toxins during service and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure. Service connection for skin cancer is also granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service due to radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his complete VA treatment records and associate them with the paper or electronic claims files. The RO/AMC will then readjudicate the merits of his claims based on all the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a digestive disorder or skin cancer that is attributable to his military service, including radiation exposure. The competent medical evidence weighs against finding a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need to consider whether it is secondary to his service-connected skin cancer.

The Veteran seeks service connection for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, which he contends is a result of his service in Thailand and Vietnam. The claim will be remanded to verify the Veteran's service in these areas and determine if herbicide exposure or excessive sun exposure caused his skin cancer.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including history of basal cell carcinoma, did not initially manifest during his active military service and are unrelated to disease, injury, or event during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete treatment records and the need for an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's terminal metastatic malignant melanoma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and melanoma were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other chemicals, and the conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Huntington for a Board videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for skin cancer, skin disability, type II diabetes, neuropathy, and kidney disease are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer developed as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation during active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and melanoma were denied, as there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service. The claim for cause of death was not addressed due to the appellant withdrawing her hearing request.