Skin cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's skin disability, characterized as severe actinic damage with a history of multiple non-melanomatous skin cancers, meets the criteria for a 50 percent initial evaluation starting from May 14, 2010. However, it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as insufficient consideration of his skin disability. Additional examinations and records are needed.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for VA examinations. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a skin condition, and upper body skin cancer.

The Veteran's skin condition, claimed as skin cancer, was caused by military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancers of the ears and chloracne of the back have been granted, with effective dates based on presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure. The specific date is not provided as it was determined that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for skin disabilities, including skin cancer, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, on the basis of herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer and its residuals are not related to service, including exposure to missile fuel or asbestos. The Board also found no evidence of neck stiffness being related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and for malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma on the face due to herbicide exposure.,There is no evidence of a chronic right wrist condition during or immediately after service, nor any continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, skin cancer, a compensable disability rating for dermatitis of the bilateral feet prior to November 14, 2014, and a TDIU prior to April 16, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal in the matter of service connection for liver melanoma is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence and additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for both issues prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His back disability was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, his scar disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his melanoma was not related to herbicide exposure or service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is being remanded for further action, including obtaining information on potential exposure from the Navy Environmental Health Center and Naval Dosimetry Center.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arthritis of the knees, bilateral foot condition, asthma, melanoma, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy involving all four extremities has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin cancer is causally connected to his active service, including as due to sunburn during active service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's genitourinary disability and skin cancer are not service connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The hypertension claim is pending as it may be related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with hypertension, which was exposed to Agent Orange. However, prior to 2006, hypertension was not considered a presumptive condition due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his exposure to ionizing radiation and sun exposure in service. A VA medical opinion will also be requested regarding the cause of his skin cancer and actinic keratoses.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that metastatic melanoma was not related to service and that bipolar disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a formal medical nexus opinion from Dr. P., preparing a dose estimate based on the Veteran's entire history of exposure to ionizing radiation, and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the skin cancer and in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including right and left arm bone spurs, stomach disorder, skin cancer, and neck tumor were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his active duty service.