Skin cancer decisions — 2017

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's skin cancers, chronic spinal disorder, myofascial pain syndrome, or acquired psychiatric disorder and his military service. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support the assertions.

The Veteran's skin disability, claimed as chronic infectious dermatitis, sarcoidosis, and residuals of skin cancer, is not found to be related to his service or exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is directly related to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disabilities, including basal cell carcinoma and porphyria cutanea tarda, are not related to his military service, specifically due to presumed herbicide exposure. The medical opinions provided by VA examiners have concluded that these conditions are less likely than not linked to his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's skin cancer with residual scars did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there were no characteristics of disfigurement or unstable/painful scars.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma and melanoma were caused by or related to Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorder (including acid reflux), and skin disorder are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer, claimed as basal cell carcinoma, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and skin condition (claimed as malignant melanoma) are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death from malignant melanoma, as the previous opinion did not fully address the appellant's theories and the specifics of the Veteran's circumstances.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed choroidal melanoma is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents or sun exposure. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as psychoneurosis and anxiety, but reopened it based on newly submitted medical evidence indicating current diagnoses related to service. However, the Board concluded that there was no current hearing loss by VA standards, no established link between any diagnosed conditions and service, and thus denied all claims.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer, cataracts, ulcerative colitis, and osteopenia as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not establish a link between the conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation from October 29, 2007 to October 5, 2014. From October 6, 2014 onwards, his PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his Groover's rash and melanoma, as well as whether they are related to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is also being remanded for an addendum opinion addressing its relationship to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, or PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed prostate and skin cancers are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's skin cancer and his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for organic residuals of frostbite is granted as his skin cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to extreme elements during service, is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's melanoma of the right flank and right shoulder was not shown in service, did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent disabling or more within one year from his July 1946 separation from service, and there is no evidence of direct service connection. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and testicular cancer, both claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure, were denied. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to active service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his death. The issues of skin cancer, lung cancer, and cause of death are now inextricably intertwined.