Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a lack of documentation regarding occupational radiation exposure at Lowry Air Force Base. The Veteran's claim for skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, is related to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic melanoma, which the Board found less likely than not incurred during or caused by his active service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information regarding his exposure to radiation, asbestos and aviation gas during service. The Veteran is also entitled to a VA examination for skin fungus based on his testimony that he developed the condition in service.

The Veteran's melanoma with lung metastasis was denied service connection as it did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran had jet fuel exposure but no herbicide exposure, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for either type of exposure.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg numbness, OSA as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, cardiovascular disability (including atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease) and skin cancer all as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The effective date of the rating for these conditions is March 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding potential links between his conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for skin cancer because no new and material evidence was submitted, and there is no diagnosis of skin cancer in the record.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in Thailand. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities, Barrett’s syndrome, and melanoma due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's status post melanoma in SITU of the left shoulder with radical excision and asymptomatic scar is not considered disabling under applicable diagnostic codes, as there are no other effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04. The disability does not impair the function of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, heart disorder, and PTSD are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's melanoma, which was the principal cause of his death, is considered service-connected due to its relation to military service. The Board found that the medical evidence supported a finding that the Veteran’s melanoma was caused by exposure to sunlight and herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a kidney disability and an eye disability, both related to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support a link between these disabilities and his military service.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal as the Appellant withdrew her appeals prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to May 16, 2011 was granted. The claim for a higher rating on and after that date was denied. Service connection was established for melanoma of the scalp, skin cancer, and sleep apnea. Service connection was not established for colon polyps or bladder cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service sun exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder disability and low back disability. The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as there is no evidence it began during service or is related to in-service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange and sunburn.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current skin cancer is related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to Agent Orange and UV rays.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and requires a VA treatment provider to provide an opinion regarding whether any additional disability was proximately caused by a treatment-related event that was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further development regarding his service connection claims and rating issues. The Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.