Skin cancer decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not related to his in-service chemical exposures. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's skin disorder is being evaluated again, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the knees, hands, and arms as secondary to exposure to herbicides will be referred back to the AOJ.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals, which was deemed effective when received by the Board.

The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic melanoma, was not service-connected and there is no evidence to support a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The Board found that the Veteran's metastatic melanoma did not have its onset during his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's blistering sunburn during service significantly increased her risk of developing melanoma later in life, and thus contributed to the development of her current condition. The Board grants service connection for residuals of malignant melanoma status post excision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and an increased rating for PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seborrhea is service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange, but his skin cancer/fatty tumors are not service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin cancer disability and, therefore, cannot establish service connection for this condition. The Court's March 2013 Memorandum Decision found the February 2011 VA medical examination inadequate in determining whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's current BCC and residuals thereof and his exposure to herbicides or sun during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and supplemental opinions.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's skin cancer and its residuals are causally related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals, dust, and exhaust encountered on the flight line. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and skin cancer, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a social survey. The issues on appeal are whether he can establish service connection for his left shoulder melanoma and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed skin disorders (malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and seborrheic keratosis) were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The lung disorder of bronchial thickening was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, including sun exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold injury residuals of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, cataracts, hiatal hernia, ulcerative colitis, and osteopenia are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining postservice treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of skin cancer is found to be the result of his military service, and therefore service connection for skin cancer is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right eye disability, sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus, and skin cancer have been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.,There is no evidence indicating that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide or ionizing radiation during service, thus there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection for parotid gland tumor and skin disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicides, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all submitted evidence, including an expert medical opinion regarding malignant melanoma. The claim will be considered in light of new theories of entitlement such as secondary service connection.