Skin cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has found that the claim must be remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand orders and additional development is needed, including a dose estimate for radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, other than soft tissue sarcoma, has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for scars as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected skin cancer is also granted.,An effective date earlier than March 31, 2014, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any neuropathy of the upper extremities and melanoma, including consideration of service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for metastatic melanoma of the lungs, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a compensable disability rating for left arm non-melanoma skin cancer was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's service connection for premalignant keratosis and nonmelanoma skin cancer with cutaneous photodamage is granted. An evaluation of 40 percent prior to October 8, 2011, for a low back disability is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum opinion.,The Veteran's claim for Parkinson's disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for COPD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for extreme joint pain is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for skin disorder, to include malignant melanomas, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for rectal impact surgery as secondary to service-connected organic aphonia is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer due to creosote exposure, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the condition and in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cancer of the oral cavity, bladder cancer, and skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is seeking presumptive service connection based on his alleged exposure during military service in Japan.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for metastatic melanoma and a dental disability due to in-service injuries. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to service, including exposure to sun during service aboard a ship.

The appeals seeking service connection for various conditions are dismissed.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims will be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits for review, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions related to vertigo.

The Veteran's melanoma tumors were not diagnosed during the appeal period, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The skin condition (claimed as skin cancer) requires further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating of 20 percent is granted. The Veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy remains rated at 20 percent due to lack of evidence supporting a higher rating. The scars post-malignant melanoma removal are not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II; basal cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer); right hip disorder; right knee disorder; and right ankle disorders has been dismissed. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.