Skin cancer decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative residuals of a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for skin cancer and prostatitis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service combat injuries. Service connection was not established for skin cancer or prostatitis due to herbicide exposure as these conditions do not fall under the presumptive provisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer and rib lesions, finding that new and material evidence was not presented. The Veteran's skin cancer is not related to active service, and his rib lesion does not appear to be related to service either.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a motion for withdrawal of the appeal submitted by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's colon symptoms are due to radiation proctitis, which is related to his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed colon disorder (radiation proctitis) is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, recurrent atrial fibrillation, skin cancer, and Parkinson's disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for skin cancer has been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin cancer/residuals thereof.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his stressors were consistent with his service, thus meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) are deemed to be due to radiation exposure during service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer was not incurred in or caused by his service, and denied entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran died of metastatic melanoma, which was not service-connected. The Board found that his bipolar disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome were granted. The claim for an initial evaluation higher than 20 percent for right ankle sprain was denied, as well as the claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids. Service connection for skin cancer on the right ear was established.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's cancers and exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that his extensive sunlight exposure during active service contributed to the development of multiple skin cancers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing due to medical reasons. The issue of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer due to Agent Orange exposure remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, skin cancer, and blindness are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining records from SSA, VA, and private sources. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer, including actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma, was incurred in service due to X-ray treatment for acne during active duty.

The Veteran's skin conditions, including skin cancer and actinic keratosis, were not present during service or within a year of separation. The Board finds no evidence linking these current conditions to his military service.