Skin cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. The claim for arthritis has also been denied due to lack of service connection.

All issues are remanded for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD will be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his skin disorder, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin cancer is related to his service exposure to sun, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides or radiation during service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, skin cancer, and bladder cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin cancer and prostate disability and his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, lentigo maligna, squamous cell carcinoma, and bilateral cataracts have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during his active service in Bikini Atoll and had severe solar exposure as well, which led to these conditions.

The Board found that the January 2008 rating decision denying service connection for right and left shoulder disorders was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since then, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's skin cancer is found to be causally related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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

The appellant wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for gallstones and a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease.,The appellant also wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's skin cancer is found to be related to his exposure to radiation during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the criteria for restoration of a 100 percent rating from September 1, 2012 for melanoma have not been met.

The Veteran's skin cancer is found to be related to his active service, specifically the sun exposure he experienced during his time in Vietnam. Service connection for skin cancer is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, with no recurrence of melanoma documented in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found no current disability of skin cancer during the appeal period, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed condition and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an etiological opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected back disability contributed to his death from metastatic malignant melanoma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and melanoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of skin cancer and infertility.