Skin cancer decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a pulmonary disability, claimed as spots on the lungs. The Veteran also had a claim for skin cancer, to include as due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. However, the Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions and denied all claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to his service-connected malignant melanoma. The evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, is being remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer from September 1, 2011. The appeal for higher ratings and TDIU are denied.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of skin cancer or an actinic keratosis that is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds the VA examination most probative against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The claims will be re-opened if new and material evidence is found.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin cancers, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, neuropathy of the legs and toes, and service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for malignant melanoma was granted. For PTSD, a higher initial rating prior to October 29, 2011, and an increased disability rating from that date were both granted. The claim for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder and skin cancer.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn by the appellant at her hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for lymphoma and skin cancer are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and skin condition. For the period prior to April 7, 2017, he was not granted a compensable rating for his actinic keratosis, multiple, with basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma excisions. After that date, he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and their residuals are related to his in-service sun exposure. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Raynaud's syndrome, cellulitis, skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), cutaneous vascular disorder (CVD), and contact dermatitis and eczema have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and PTSD are not service connected, but he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer of the face and torso were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other form of presumed exposure. The diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right foot disorder and knee disorders, were denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions are related to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek and assigned a compensable rating for skin cancer excision, right mid-lateral back/right back and left upper back. The claim for skin cancer excision, left frontal scalp/left temple at hairline is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.