Skin cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for malignant melanoma was denied because the effective date cannot be earlier than December 30, 2014 due to the one-year rule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and melanoma are all granted as service connected. The decision also remands the issue of service connection for melanoma due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and skin cancer need further development due to inadequate notice of information or evidence required to substantiate his claims, as well as incomplete medical records. The claims are being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea manuum and tinea pedis, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), and hypertension. The Veteran's skin conditions are presumed to be related to his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral nuclear cataract, eczema, psoriasiform dermatitis of the hands, left cheek sebaceous hyperplasia, and right cheek melanoma due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions in relation to service and exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically whether his exposure to herbicide agents contributed to his metastatic malignant melanoma and atherosclerotic cerebrovascular accident.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various cancers and renal failure have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's tumors and neoplasms of the skin, including malignant melanoma, are rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7833-7800. The scars associated with these conditions have been rated as noncompensable.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The appeals for respiratory disability and melanoma on the right side of the abdomen are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. Additional medical evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for malignant melanoma, cataracts, and a knee disability due to exposure to residual radiation from nuclear testing in Eniwetok Atoll. The appellant needs to provide additional information regarding his exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and skin cancer claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The VA will attempt to obtain updated treatment records from a correctional facility, arrange for an audiologist examination, and provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit any relevant private records.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to metastatic melanoma, is denied as there is no evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his service, specifically herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of malaria or other infectious disease. The appellant reported that he was diagnosed with malaria in the late 1940s, but contemporaneous medical records indicate an acute upper respiratory infection and hookworm treatment.,There is no evidence of a current disability for prostate cancer or basal cell/squamous cell skin cancers during the pendency of this claim. The appellant reported exposure to ionizing radiation, but there is no documentation supporting such exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents or radiation during his National Guard service in Korea. The issues of service connection have been remanded as well.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim for service connection for skin cancer is granted. The RO previously denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, prostate condition, urinary dysfunction, and glucose intolerance condition (to include diabetes mellitus, type II). These issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence of an in-service event or relationship.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's current malignant melanoma is related to in-service basal cell carcinoma and/or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The TDIU claim was granted.