Skin cancer decisions — 2013

The Veteran's fatal melanoma was found to be secondary to his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, thus granting service connection for the cause of death. The issue of DIC under § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither a disability shown in service nor a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his demise.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell skin cancer and is remanding the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential inadequacies in the examination report.

The Veteran's malignant melanoma and actinic keratosis are related to his military service, including exposure to sun and dirt in Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including as secondary to herbicide exposure due to lack of evidence linking any current diagnosed skin disorders to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including benign prostatic hypertrophy, depressive disorder, a lumbar spine disability, polyarthralgias, left and right shoulder disabilities, stomach disability, and skin cancer. The remaining issues on appeal will require additional development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current diagnosis of skin cancer is related to his in-service sun exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer, chloracne and acne vulgaris are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request, and will not make a decision on the merits until after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's metastatic melanoma was aggravated by his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the hands, cervical lymphadenopathy, and skin cancer or its residuals. The evidence did not demonstrate current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer, which was first diagnosed many years after service, is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for skin cancer is denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including skin cancer, is granted as service connected due to the balance of probabilities favoring a connection with his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and re-adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service connection claims are based on Agent Orange exposure or other factors. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant melanoma, finding that the Veteran's in-service sun exposure is likely responsible for his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), residuals of a head injury to include memory loss and seizures, and varicose veins. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran does not have current skin cancer that is related to his active service, and the Board finds no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected postoperative recurring moles with scars and any current skin condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders and a respiratory disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.