Skin cancer decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that the Veteran was exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) in-service and this exposure is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. Service connection for malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma) was denied due to lack of evidence linking TCE exposure to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to excessive sun during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. His skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the left, lower extremity are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to herbicide exposure during service. The left knee disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and the relationship between his claimed conditions and such exposure. The Veteran is also referred for further examination on issues related to Peyronie’s disease, benign hypertrophy of the prostate, skin cancer, and a skin disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer, finding no competent and probative evidence linking his condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and skin cancer metastases to left parotid and left neck lymph node, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for glaucoma has been granted, but the claim remains denied. The Board has also remanded cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, due to incomplete records. Service connection for malignant melanoma of the left forearm and right leg is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in obtaining service personnel records and ensuring compliance with 38 C.F.R. § 3.311(a). The Veteran's claim for service connection based on ionizing radiation exposure is reopened, but no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma and a heart disability, both potentially related to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, including melanoma and squamous cell cancer of the arm. The causes of death (metastatic malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma) are also considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and thyroid condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, and sleep apnea are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, skin cancer, and a neurological disability (claimed as brain tumor) due to incomplete medical records and insufficient examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The skin cancer claim is denied as not related to herbicide exposure. Service connection for the allergic reaction to Compazine is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for meningitis, chronic sinusitis, encephalopathy, skin cancer, Parkinson's disease, headaches, lumbar spine DDD, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, neck stiffness, disability manifested by spitting blood, acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and gait ataxia. The Board also remanded for additional development regarding outstanding records from the James Haley VAMC and Social Security Administration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a stomach disorder, skin cancer of the face, and thyroid cyst due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for large intestine cancer, small intestine cancer, lymph node cancer, glandular cancer of the ear, and skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis or link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's painful scars residuals of multiple skin cancers are granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's multiple skin cancer residuals remain at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for skin cancer was reopened due to new evidence submitted.,For the low back disability, a rating greater than 10 percent is denied prior to May 3, 2017 and a remand is ordered for further evaluation after that date.