Skin cancer decisions — 2013

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic melanoma, which is presumed due to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. His diabetes mellitus, also presumptively related to service, contributed as a contributory cause of death.

The Veteran's skin cancer is found to be related to his in-service sunlight exposure, and service connection for accrued benefits purposes is granted.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death due to metastatic melanoma.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for skin cancer and non-malignant thyroid nodular disease due to ionizing radiation exposure. The Veteran's active duty participation in the occupation of Nagasaki qualifies him as a 'radiation-exposed veteran'.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran without a waiver of RO consideration, and because the Veteran received recent treatment for his skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy at VA facilities. The claims will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the claimed conditions are not causally or etiologically related to his period of active military service, including exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, malignant melanoma, is attributable to his military service exposure to Agent Orange. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea barbae is not currently active, and his skin cancers and actinic keratosis lesions do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The Board denied an increased evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, effective from November 17, 2008. The earlier effective date is granted as the report of contact in November 2008 can be construed as an informal claim.

The Veteran's skin cancer disability is etiologically related to his active service, specifically his in-service exposure to excessive sunlight. As such, the Board grants entitlement to service connection for skin cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to outstanding records from a dermatologist treating the Veteran's skin cancer.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his claim for service connection for an enlarged aorta with leaking valve. The issue is therefore considered withdrawn.,New evidence received since the last final denial has raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim to reopen for skin cancer, which was previously denied in 1985.

The Veteran does not have post-operative residuals of an esophageal stricture, loss of teeth, or residuals of prostate cancer as a result of his service. The Board finds that the evidence is against entitlement to service connection for any of the claimed disabilities on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma and other skin conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and all issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left true vocal cord cancer and multiple skin cancers are not related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current skin cancer of the nose and ears to his active military service, including exposure to sun or hazardous materials. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that prostate cancer did not contribute substantially and materially to his death from metastatic melanoma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, seeking SSA disability determination and records, and providing a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's skin disorders began during or are related to his active duty service.