Skin cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for bladder cancer is granted due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. Bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer claims are remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The skin cancer and pulmonary asbestosis claims remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and compliance with the February 2008 Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) directives. The AOJ should ensure that it has completed all previous Board remand directives.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, did not manifest during service or is otherwise etiologically related to active military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's skin disorder was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's facial scars are inadequate and remands the case for a new examination. Additionally, both the increased rating claim for the facial scars and the SMC based on housebound are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be metastatic melanoma, which the VA physician opined was related to ultraviolet light exposure during his active duty service. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the medical evidence.

The Veteran's skin cancer is related to sun exposure during service, but his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The Board finds that service connection cannot be granted for either condition.

The Veteran's skin cancer, tic, and mood disorder (major depressive disorder) are all found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for increased rating of peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's skin cancer of the face is found to be related to his in-service sun exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is no current disability found for the residuals of a right foot crush injury.

The Veteran's lower flank pain, claimed as a left hip strain and residuals of left ovary removal, to include stomach pain, is not related to service.,There is no current diagnosis of unexplained syncope. The right eye disorder treated during service resolved without residual.

The Board finds that the Veteran's melanoma is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's melanoma may be related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents and excessive sun exposure. However, further development is needed as a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, as well as their relationship to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer and hypertension are not attributable to his period of service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and skin cancer on hands, face, and neck were denied as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the claims. The skin cancer claim is also denied due to lack of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the Appellant during the pendency of the appeal.