Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection for Parkinson’s disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and basal skin cancer. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional development including VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial evaluations for various foot, knee, shoulder, and skin conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and skin cancer due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and malignant melanoma due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for diverticulitis but remanded the skin cancer claim due to inadequate examination. The Veteran's skin condition is related to herbicide exposure, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin cancer and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left ear canal lesion, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The skin cancer case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for a right leg disability and skin cancer.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for malignant melanoma is remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation remains at 30 percent, and an effective date earlier than January 23, 2012 is denied.,Service connection for skin cancer and prostate cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of prostate cancer as secondary to malignant melanoma due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand orders and consideration of relevant medical literature.

The Veteran's skin cancer of his left ear was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's skin cancer of his left ear was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for bone disability, skin cancer, and erectile dysfunction were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including basal cell and squamous cell cancer, is not related to service, including exposure to herbicides and organic arsenic.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma with metastatic brain tumor and a back disability were denied. The claim for malignant melanoma was not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus to service, while the claim for a back disability was also denied due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals, diabetes mellitus, type II, and skin cancer are all granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's skin cancer is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, but a remand is ordered for an examination to determine if it is related to his service duties and sun exposure. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea. His skin disability ratings are denied, but he has a new rating of 20 percent for painful scars since May 5, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for skin cancer, polyarthralgia, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder are denied.