Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the remaining claims on appeal, including service connection for sleep apnea and cutaneous lupus and skin cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, digestive disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and skin cancer, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or radiation exposure that could support a claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The claim for service connection for skin cancer is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include bilateral knee disabilities, frequent urination disorder, skin cancer, left ankle disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disability, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to chemicals in Korea, and a formal finding from the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) is needed. If such exposure is verified, an addendum VA examiner’s opinion will be requested.

The Board denied service connection for melanoma in the left knee, finding that there is no current disability and that the Veteran's private doctor's opinion lacks probative value.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case will be forwarded to VA's Undersecretary for Health for preparation of a dose estimate based on his military occupational specialty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's skin cancer claim is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to ionizing radiation during service and whether his condition is related.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, sinusitis, ulcer, skin cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The decision also notes that the Veteran's hip arthritis is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for fatigue, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and melanoma of the abdomen with residual scar due to asbestos and TCE exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board has determined that the Veteran served near the perimeter of the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, which places him at risk for herbicide exposure. Service connection is granted for prostate cancer on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these matters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been denied. The claims of service connection for skin cancer on the face and sarcoma condition on the back have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a nasal disorder, deviated septum. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and skin cancer are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a deviated septum and skin cancer, as they are related to service. The cases will be reviewed with medical examinations to determine if there is any connection between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer was denied because the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.