Skin cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's skin conditions, including melanoma in situ and invasive melanoma, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, dermatoheliosis, tinea corporis, and tinea pedia, were not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's post-operative left forearm malignant melanoma with painful and adherent scar (also claimed as sunburn) was not manifested in service, and a preponderance of the evidence is against finding it is related to service or caused by service.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not manifested in service, and a preponderance of the evidence is against finding it is related to service or caused by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims for service connection and evaluation of residuals of hemorrhoids.

The Veteran does not have a current disability due to carbon monoxide exposure, dystonic reaction secondary to medication, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer of the lip and breast, or chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as fibromyalgia or chronic pain).,There is no evidence linking any claimed conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his active duty service, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran was presumed exposed to herbicides in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The initial, compensable rating claim for residuals of malignant melanoma is pending.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer was reopened and granted. However, his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression) were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his diabetes or exposure to herbicides contributed to it. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), is as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of colon cancer or residuals of skin cancer due to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, including chloracne and skin cancer of the face and right shoulder, as well as non-melanoma skin cancer. The Board found that there was no evidence to support direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and insufficient medical opinion regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin cancer is related to his in-service sun exposure and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's melanoma of the forehead was not incurred during service and is not shown to be related to his period of active duty. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer, including his chest, arms, back and face conditions, did not manifest during service or within a year of separation. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not related to his period of service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not present during service or manifest within a year after, and did not develop as a result of any incident during service, to include exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's skin cancer is being evaluated, including its relation to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's metastatic melanoma was not caused by or contributed substantially to his death, and thus service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand and whether his current conditions are related to service. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for left arm tremors and service connection for melanoma, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure at the December 2014 Board hearing.