Skin cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a colon disability and a skin disability, finding that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service exposure or nexus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and hypertension due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining updated medical opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for foot and toenail fungus, as well as skin cancer. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to provide information about private medical records related to his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain relevant Department of Defense reports, which could help determine if the Veteran's job duties and living quarters placed him near the perimeter of Udorn Air Base where herbicides were used.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including inservice exposure to ultraviolet radiation and herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for dermatitis, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma as these conditions were not shown to be related to service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided that the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current skin disability is inadequate. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for malignant melanoma, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's malignant melanoma was diagnosed in 2007 and there is no evidence of it within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancer is related to sun exposure while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and acne due to exposure to herbicide agents. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (previously evaluated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and memory loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's lung disability, low back disability, upper back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, sinus disability, memory loss, hypertension, colon polyps, prostate disability, stomach disability, skin disability (including skin cancer and actinic keratosis), throat disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney cysts, and liver cyst are all denied. However, the Veteran's lung disability is granted as due to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for contact dermatitis and skin cancer with related scars, including abscesses, sores, and boils. The Veteran's GERD, PUD, DVT, and kidney disease were not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection was remanded for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for actinic keratosis and service connection for residuals of oral cancer/facial skin cancer due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer disability, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his service.

The Veteran's melanoma is currently in remission and rated at a 10% disability rating effective from September 15, 2017. The claim for increased ratings prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence supports reopening the claims, but remands are required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current skin disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer and GERD, but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection was granted for skin cancer based on the Veteran's credible report of exposure to smoke from oil fires during service.