Skin cancer decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's skin disorders, including melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. The examiner must reconcile prior diagnoses with current findings and provide an opinion on whether each disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant increased ratings and denied his claims for service connection of a right eye condition. The evidence did not show a nexus between the in-service injury and current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and urinary disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a respiratory disorder, both claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and lung disorders (melanoma of the face and back, COPD) were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to service, including in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during his service in Vietnam and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA or private treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, skin cancer, and myasthenia gravis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, skin cancer, lung disability, vestibular disorder, groin disorder, and allergies. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The case will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for skin cancer and a chronic skin condition, including actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, and elastosis, due to extensive sun exposure during his military service.,The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of direct service connection based on the nature of the Veteran's exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining service treatment records, VA and private medical records, and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, skin cancer, kidney problems and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure in Vietnam or elsewhere.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, and diabetic retinopathy due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for colon cancer, liver cancer, and skin cancer based on direct causation in service.

The Veteran's colon cancer was found to be due to exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to unanswered medical questions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer of the ears, and a need for an adequate medical advisory opinion.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's recurring skin cancers and cardiac arrhythmia are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of infertility will be remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for melanoma, finding that the submitted evidence is not new and material.

The Veteran's death was not due to a condition for which he had an open claim at the time of his death, and the Appellant did not file her accrued benefits claim within one year after his death. Therefore, she is not eligible for accrued benefits.