Skin cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lentigo maligna, a non-melanoma skin cancer, was denied as the evidence did not support a link to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's malignant melanoma is related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or sun exposure during service. The Veteran must provide additional information and undergo a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, coronary atherosclerosis (CAD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The primary disability, malignant melanoma, was determined to be unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's claims for skin cancer, cervical strain, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is also being remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes is related to exposure to herbicides during service in Korea and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has a nerve condition, skin cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, or anxiety) that are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for melanoma, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service, including any in-service sun exposure or radiation exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not service-connected as they first appeared decades after military service.,Bilateral pes planus was found to have existed prior to military service and did not worsen during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for skin cancer and sinus disorder as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; and skin cancer (melanoma) are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his Reserve service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and right carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions of left tennis elbow, right tennis elbow, left carpal tunnel syndrome, skin cancer, or high blood pressure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder, including skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or Agent Orange exposure. The appeal is based on direct service connection and not on any presumption.

The Veteran's skin cancer and any residuals are being remanded for further investigation due to the lack of a VA examiner opinion, private treatment opinions addressing his skin cancer and exposure to X-ray radiation in service, and a complete U.S. Department of Airforce- Master Radiation Exposure Registry (MRER) investigation report.

The Veteran's kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and peripheral vascular disease claims have been withdrawn. The skin cancer claim has been remanded for further review.,Service connection for the Veteran’s heart disability and peripheral vascular disease due to ionizing radiation exposure is denied as these conditions are not considered radiogenic diseases.

The appeal regarding the claim of service connection for skin cancer all over body, to include as a result of exposure to herbicides, is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic kidney disease, bladder cancer, and skin cancer of the nose due to potential service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran is presumed exposed to Agent Orange during his service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The remaining issues, including PTSD, sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, back disability, skin cancer, and kidney stones (claimed as kidney stones), are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for vision problems, bilateral hearing loss disability, and skin disorder due to insufficient evidence or lack of examination.

The appeal for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as the Veteran has already been found eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing. The request to reopen his service connection claim for skin cancer of the face was raised but no action has been taken.