Skin cancer decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to sunlight. The decision is based on multiple medical opinions supporting a nexus between the Veteran's military service and his melanoma.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. Service connection for skin cancer and hypertension has been remanded due to missing evidence.

The Board has vacated the denial of service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, skin cancer, a back disability, and a heart disability. The Veteran's testimony at his September 2021 hearing provided evidence in support of these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin conditions, including skin lesions and skin cancers, finding that they are more likely than not attributable to service due to exposure to tactical herbicides. The decision is based on the Veteran's long history of recurrent skin lesions and his diagnoses of skin cancer.

The Veteran's appeal of the September 14, 2017 rating decision is granted as his December 2018 VA Form 9 was timely filed. The Board found that the July 2018 SOC was not properly provided to the Veteran and his attorney, leading to a delay in the response period for the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and bilateral wrist conditions due to outstanding records and need for additional development, including verification of her Reserve service periods and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-skin cancer and heart condition are not service-connected, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding his heart condition. The claim for pre-skin cancer is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, while the heart condition claim requires additional development including obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin cancer is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for coronary artery disease has been granted, with the effective date set at September 16, 2015.,Service connection for skin cancer is granted based on herbicide exposure during active service.,Service connection for scars secondary to service-connected skin cancer is also granted.,Increased ratings for a cervical spine strain are remanded for further examination and rating determination.,The Veteran's current 20 percent rating for the period following May 7, 2018, remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for scars of the right upper extremity associated with melanoma and lymph node removal is granted at a 10% level. The Board finds that additional development is necessary for his other issues, including his right shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus of the right foot, and hallux valgus of the left foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and need for additional examinations. The issues include arthritis of the back, wrists, knees, colon condition, and skin cancer.

The Veteran's skin disability, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board denied service connection based on direct service connection due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's melanoma and his conceded Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for a skin condition.

The Veteran's metastatic melanoma is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service sun exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.