Skin cancer decisions — 2015

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, thyroid disability, melanoma of the chest and back, diabetes mellitus, and right eye cataract.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's right groin scar, residual of malignant melanoma, was found to be painful and measured at its largest as 56 square centimeters. A 10 percent rating has been granted from February 24, 2010 to May 27, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residual scars due to malignant melanoma need further development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his pes planus and skin conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service and denied the claim for bilateral hearing loss.,Pneumonia is not considered a disease incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded to the RO for a DRO hearing and additional development. The issues include service connection for various conditions, as well as rating claims for knee arthritis.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being reconsidered due to new evidence received after the March 2009 rating decision. The case is now remanded for further development and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for skin cancer, left foot drop, and the partial increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's skin cancer and residual pain and tingling on the right lower lip are rated at 10 percent each, effective March 1, 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran's loss of use of his right eye and choroidal malignant melanoma were not caused or aggravated by VA's carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's malignant melanoma, actinic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma in situ are caused by or related to his active military service due to sun exposure during his naval service.

The Veteran's low back disability, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, glaucoma, and cataracts are all found to be related to his service due to radiation exposure.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not manifested in service or for many years thereafter and a preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that such disability is related to his service. The Board found no exposure to ionizing radiation during service, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive exposure under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current malignant melanoma, as it may be related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chloracne, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss (other than Alzheimer's), dizziness, brain tumor, skin cancer, colon cancer, and headaches have all been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his exposure to UV radiation or Agent Orange during service contributed to his melanoma diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatal melanoma, including whether it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure or if his service-connected diabetes mellitus and complications contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.