Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, gastrointestinal disability, and skin cancer as not related to active duty service or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Veteran's hypertension was found not to be related to his service or a service-connected disability. His gastrointestinal disorders were also not found to be related to his service or a service-connected disability. Lastly, his skin cancer was not found to be related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral sprain/strain and melanoma status post surgery residual scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including skin cancer and hypertension. The remaining issues are also being remanded for further review.

Service connection for hearing loss in left ear is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for skin cancer on face is denied.,A compensable rating for hearing loss in right ear is denied.,The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.,The claim for service connection for a vestibular disorder in the right ear, to include vertigo and loss of balance, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, including for cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, multiple melanomas, and PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding medical records from private providers and VA facilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims for malignant melanoma and stroke are remanded.

The Veteran's skin cancer was denied service connection, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for both skin cancer and a generalized infections of the skin, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions being related to active duty service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence linking his melanoma or cerebrovascular accident to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for malignant melanoma is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to explore the etiology of his skin cancer, including any relationship to in-service sun exposure and/or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, prostate cancer, and skin cancer, all of which were claimed to be due to herbicide exposure.,The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims as there was no in-service diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle condition, and head scar from skin cancer are being remanded for further development as the Board finds that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's contentions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's treatment at Muenster Memorial Hospital on September 27, 2012 was for an infection and melanoma. The treatment met the criteria for emergency medical services as it was provided in a hospital emergency department, the condition required immediate attention to avoid serious health risks, and there were no feasible VA facilities available.

The Veteran's claims for skin cancer, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, vertigo, dementia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for right ear hearing loss has been granted with a 0% rating effective November 5, 2014.

The Veteran's death was caused by skin cancer, which the appellant claims was related to his exposure to herbicides while in service in Vietnam. The appeal is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer of the bilateral arms, squamous cell skin cancer, and actinic keratosis of the face, arms, and ears. The cancers are found to be etiologically related to napalm exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, dermatitis, skin cancer, and sciatic nerve condition due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's skin cancer is related to sun and Agent Orange exposure during service, and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI residuals, PTSD, hearing loss, ocular migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, skin cancer, and others, were denied as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, bilateral eye condition (migraine visual phenomenon bilaterally, left lower eyelid papilloma, right eye posterior vitreous detachment), and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.