Skin cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, melanoma of the face, scalp, back, and chest, chronic disability manifested by numbness in the legs, back disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty or within one year thereafter. The Board finds that the Veteran did not sustain any injuries to his teeth or develop a dental condition while on active duty. He also does not have a current diagnosis of melanoma of the face, scalp, back, and chest. His claimed disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including severe multiple joint pain, actinic keratosis and skin cancer, prostate disability, right leg disability, and gastrointestinal disability were denied as not related to service or any recognized exposure. The appeal is considered withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, as well as his requests for increased evaluations for PTSD and CAD. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of skin cancer is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has established entitlement to SMC-L based on loss of use of his legs due to his service-connected back disorder, knee disorders and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. He also qualifies for SMC-O and SMC-R(1) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.,The Board also found that the Veteran's skin disorders were not caused by exposure to herbicide agents or ionizing radiation during his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The Veteran's claims of service connection for skin cancer, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and brain tumor are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his spine, joints, and skin conditions is dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board grants service connection for PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability, service connection for skin cancer due to herbicide exposure, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as status post right knee replacement, is at least as likely as not due to his in-service injuries. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II and skin cancer are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to metastatic melanoma with metastases to the brain, lungs, and liver, is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability. The opinions obtained from VA experts have concluded that neither in-service exposure to herbicides nor asbestos caused the Veteran's melanoma. Additionally, sarcoidosis did not contribute to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer and skin cancer due to exposure during active duty, including benzene. The SMC claim is also being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin cancer is not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation and therefore denies service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's husband did not have a period of active duty or service connection for any disability. Therefore, his death was not caused by a condition incurred in or aggravated during service. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied. Additionally, as he did not qualify as a 'veteran' under VA compensation laws, the appellant is not eligible for death pension benefits. Finally, there are no accrued benefits due to him.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as there is credible supporting evidence that corroborates his lay assertions of in-service traumatic events. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and it is related to an event in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during his military service and to seek dose information from official sources. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer had its onset during his period of service in Vietnam, including due to herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's skin disability, and updating the rating assigned if appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as his requests for SMC and TDIU. The issues of higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy were not addressed.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for skin cancer on the right ear, as there was no credible evidence linking the condition to service or any presumptive conditions.