Skin cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a skin disability due to in-service treatment and exposure, including an examination of VA records and additional medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence of initial manifestations within one year of separation from service and concluding that the current medical literature does not support a link between Agent Orange exposure and skin cancer.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and skin cancer, finding no evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's skin cancers, including basal cell, squamous cell, and malignant melanoma, are being remanded for further development due to incomplete foundation of the VA examiner's opinion. The case will be reviewed with an addendum medical opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's skin cancer is not related to his active duty service and the Board finds that there is no evidence of radiation exposure during service. As such, service connection for skin cancer as due to radiation exposure is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Service connection for skin cancer is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of skin cancer, prostate cancer, and dementia due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has found that the issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition, including exposure to herbicide agents and sun exposure in service, needs to be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The case will now return to the RO for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin conditions and his in-service exposure, specifically herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and therefore, the case is being returned to the RO for further development. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to inadequate posthumous retrospective medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and basal cell skin cancer of the nose. The decision is based on direct service connection as all conditions are found to be related to in-service events or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient dose data for ionizing radiation exposure claims. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered with additional development, including a dose estimate and potential expert opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as not related to his active service or presumed exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, is related to his active service and exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has continuously had symptoms of tinnitus since service and resolves all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars, right lower extremity, status post melanoma resection and increased ratings for basal cell carcinoma and residuals of basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. The issues are being referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings related to skin cancer residuals and scars has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50% effective January 31, 2011. Other service-connected conditions were not granted increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's skin cancer of the left shoulder and back, as well as his psoriasis. The decision is based on direct evidence linking these conditions to exposure to jet fuel during military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for further development, including a dose estimate and an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.