Skin cancer decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for seborrhea and skin cancer/fatty tumors are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder melanoma is not related to service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a skin examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for skin cancer of the left orbital area. The Board finds that additional development is required to determine if the Veteran currently has this condition and, if so, whether it is related to his in-service sun exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin condition, including hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, and bilateral hand/wrist arthritis, is related to his in-service burn injury. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether solar exposure during service was a causative factor in the Veteran's malignant melanoma, which would be considered a direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of malignant melanoma is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private and Federal treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of skin cancer are related to his active duty service.,The fungal infection tinea unguium (onychomycosis) is related to the Veteran's active duty service. The loss of the left great toenail, including as secondary to tinea unguium (onychomycosis), is also related to his active duty service.,There is no evidence that the loss of the left great toenail is related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell skin cancer, right thumb injury, and scar of the right leg. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and actinic keratosis are found to be related to his significant sun exposure during service, leading to the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for a VA board-certified dermatologist opinion regarding whether his skin cancer is related to his period of service. The case will be readjudicated after any additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a medical examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain private treatment records from the Medical University of South Carolina for further review and decision.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, melanoma, and onychomycosis were denied as these conditions are not presumed to be related to service or herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and a review of the claims file. The right wrist disability claim will be evaluated based on direct evidence, while the skin cancer claim will be reviewed in light of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are under consideration.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the left lower extremity are granted service connection as a result of in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension and skin cancer is also granted due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The claim for skin cancer as secondary to herbicide exposure remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a skin condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.