Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer are reopened. The Board has remanded the issues due to new evidence suggesting exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, as they are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and melanoma have been reopened, but the Board has remanded them due to insufficient evidence. The claim for an effective date prior to June 14, 2010, for radiation proctitis is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service illness or incident regarding skin cancer and giving the most probative weight to the 2018 VA examiner's opinion. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for testicular carcinoma and diabetes mellitus type II were dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

The Veteran's hypertension and dermatitis, claimed as radiation on the ear, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for Crohn’s Disease, residuals of intestine removal, and skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty at Johnston Atoll is presumed. The claimant also had a current diagnosis of chloracne.,Service connection was remanded for skin cancer and hypertension due to potential radiation exposure on Johnston Island.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of the Veteran's current diagnoses and verification of his in-service Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran seeks service connection for a skin condition, including skin cancer, as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD, alcohol abuse, GERD, and skin cancer due to service connection issues. The claims will be further evaluated with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, as there is insufficient evidence to determine eligibility for accrued benefits or service connection for the cause of death. The appellant must provide clear documentation regarding her educational pursuits after reaching the age of 18 years.

The Board has denied service connection for skin cancer on the bridge of nose and left cheek, finding no current diagnosis or evidence of in-service exposure. The claim for throat cancer was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and active duty.,Service connection is not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and skin cancer are granted. The Veteran's claim for an eye disability is dismissed due to withdrawal. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for skin cancer and thyroid cancer due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's testimony indicates exposure to sun during service, and a private nurse practitioner suggests possible Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The appeal for service connection of pulmonary fibrosis and a skin disorder (including rosacea and skin cancer) is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's melanoma of the left chest and squamous cell carcinoma of the right temple and above the left eyebrow were not found to be related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and his current condition. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's skin cancer began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as it is presumed to have developed due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for soft tissue sarcoma (skin cancer) is remanded and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and Parkinson’s Disease due to radiation exposure. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a radiation dose assessment from DTRA and medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.