Skin cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), was reopened. Service connection is granted for both the skin conditions and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for sebaceous cyst, squamous cell skin cancer, and actinic keratosis have been dismissed as withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease has been remanded. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected skin conditions, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and solar lentigo, are granted. The claim for increased rating of the low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, dental disability (loss of teeth), bilateral foot fungal disorder, hypercholesterolemia, skin cancer of the right cheek, psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), right thumb disability, left knee instability and painful motion (status post ACL repair), and right hip bursitis with strain have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's MS did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology was not established. The claim for Malignant Melanoma was also denied as there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the disease and active military service.,The Board found that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis was not related to her active duty service, and her Malignant Melanoma was not caused by sun exposure during deployment in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's skin cancer behind the right ear is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology, including whether it was caused by his military service, herbicide exposure, or sun exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 and § 1805 as she does not meet the legal criteria to qualify for benefits due to her father's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer, specifically whether it is related to his service or caused by sun exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's melanoma and ulcerative colitis are related to his service, including in-service treatment and exposure to chemicals.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous directives regarding radiation exposure. The Veteran's claim for skin cancer will be reconsidered based on his credible testimony and submitted articles.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gunshot wounds, hearing loss, tinnitus, joint diseases, and disabilities of the elbows, shoulders, wrists, ankles, knees, lumbar spine, cervical spine, esophageal cancer, skin disorders, heart issues, respiratory problems, and memory loss. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's metastatic melanoma of the lungs is related to his military service, if it is a progression of his pre-existing chest and shoulder condition, or if it is a separate condition.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's request to withdraw her pending appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a choroidal melanoma disability has been reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that there is sufficient material evidence to reopen the case, but further examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell skin cancer and basal cell skin cancer, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least in equipoise with his in-service sun exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The decisions on these issues are pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's melanoma is directly related to his time in service, specifically his conceded Agent Orange exposure. The death pension claim also requires calculation of the appellant's countable income.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for upper body skin cancer and a skin condition due to inadequate opinions in the May 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. The Board has found an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, stroke, facial numbness, right leg numbness, hypertension, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for actinic keratosis and melanoma of the neck, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service due to prolonged sun exposure during active duty.