Skin cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed to ascertain the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder are remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and possible verification of in-service events. The Board also finds that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorders.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a respiratory disorder and residuals of a melanoma on the right side of the abdomen. The remand requires obtaining complete dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in the National Guard, obtaining VA opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, and providing an opinion regarding whether any current respiratory disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service entrance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for T-cell lymphoma, manifested by skin cancer. The claim is reopened on new evidence provided by the Veteran and his private physician.

The Veteran's service connection claims for postphlebitic syndrome (left leg), skin cancer, and kidney disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to link these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There was no chronic disease noted during service or within one year of separation, and the Veteran did not have any relevant symptoms or diagnoses in service.

The Veteran's melanoma and basal cell carcinoma are related to in-service sun exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The issues regarding vision problems and left ear hearing loss have been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for melanoma cancer and sleep apnea, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has found that further development is needed to obtain the Veteran's medical records for his claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and mental illness, and has remanded the issue of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's residuals of a stroke are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's skin cancer is granted on a direct basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's lung cancer and skin cancer are granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to their in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically due to their service in the Republic of Vietnam. The skin cancer is also granted on a direct basis based on its relation to in-service sun exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer, which is currently diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. The Veteran contends that his current skin cancer is related to his active duty service and exposure to herbicide agents and/or toxic chemical agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are granted service connection based on herbicide exposure during service. Skin cancer and vitiligo are also granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The retina disability and bladder cysts remain in dispute and require further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's malignant melanoma is related to his service, including sun exposure in Vietnam and presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's melanoma (or any other relevant skin disorder) is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for BPPV, OSA, skin cancer, and GERD are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain addendum opinions as requested.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's housebound status and dementia, which in turn may have led to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure and to determine if he had any service connection claims pending at the time of his death. The cause of death claim will be remanded for further development, including obtaining records from non-VA providers and verifying the Veteran’s alleged exposure.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective August 14, 2018.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and a skin disability due to unclear etiology, and for TDIU determination.