Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of chronicity in service.,The retina disability is not service-connected as it is not secondary to a service-connected condition or related to an in-service injury or disease.,Bladder cysts are not service-connected as there was no evidence of chronicity in service, nor any connection to herbicide exposure.,Prostate cancer is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of chronicity in service.,Skin cancer is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of chronicity in service.,Vitiligo is not service-connected as there was no evidence of chronicity in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, basal cell skin cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's sun exposure during his military service may have contributed to his development of skin cancer, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. His cardiovascular disorder and lung conditions are denied. The Board has ordered additional examinations for COPD, a lung disorder other than COPD (claimed as granuloma), malignant skin neoplasm (claimed as melanoma), essential tremor, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has denied service connection for a left leg brace and skin cancer of the ears, but granted service connection for left leg deep vein thromboses as part of his service-connected peripheral arterial/vascular disease. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis and left leg neurological disability (drop foot) are being remanded.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted service connection, while his left elbow scar remains denied. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to sun and thus conceded a current diagnosis of skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and a disfiguring scar, right lower back. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to military service, specifically sun exposure in service.

The Veteran's lung disability, skin cancer, brain aneurysms and their residuals, and psychiatric disabilities are all remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for melanoma, finding that new and material evidence was not received within one year of the September 2012 denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for service-connected scars of his cheeks and lower back due to incomplete development and need for new examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer due to sun exposure, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's malignant melanoma is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disability. The claim for a skin disability was reopened due to new evidence showing a possible link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for malignant melanomas, including as due to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, heart valve disorder, hypertension, skin cancer, and enlarged neck glands are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.,There is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and malignant melanoma, as these conditions are presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicides. However, additional development is needed to determine if there is a link between the diagnosed conditions and sun exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from his Marine Corps Reserve service and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide private chiropractic treatment records.