Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new arguments presented by the Veteran's representative regarding Agent Orange exposure and its relation to the Veteran's skin cancer. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran died before the Board could make a decision on his claims for service connection and special monthly compensation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and dismissed his appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as skin cancer. The claims are being reviewed due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s CAD, valvular heart disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and cardiac arrest with multiple stent placements began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancers, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell epithelioma, and basal cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer), were caused by or related to sun exposure in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma due to exposure to ionizing radiation is remanded. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin condition, including his current skin cancer and residuals of skin cancer, is not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's skin condition was present during active service or within one year of separation from active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to inadequate etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's skin cancer.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder melanoma, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service causation or aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (including restless leg syndrome), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (including restless leg syndrome).,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of VA examination, and his PTSD rating is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for skin cancer due to presumed herbicide agent exposure and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a lymph node in the cervical chain and service connection for skin cancer. The case is being returned to VA to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, melanoma metastatic to liver and melanoma of the eye, is related to his service, particularly exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, left hip disability (claimed as left hip replacement), pulmonary disability (COPD), Raynaud's disease, skin cancer, and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, but denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The skin cancer is presumed to have been caused by exposure to the sun during active service. However, there is no evidence of herbicide agent or ionizing radiation exposure that could support a grant of service connection for type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's scars from skin cancer have been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 2014 for the chest scar, June 2016 for the left forearm scar, and November 2017 for the right forehead scar. The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for these scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case and consideration of his claims, including entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.