Skin cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of skin cancer and prostate cancer, both due to radiation exposure, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, neurological disorder, and skin disorder due to presumed herbicide exposure during service. The appeals are now pending with VA for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected actinic keratosis with multiple basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma excisions.

The Veteran's skin cancer on his upper lip is granted as service-connected, while other issues remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support his contention of in-service exposure or treatment related to 'jungle rot,' and concluded that none of his diagnosed skin conditions were related to any documented in-service condition, exposure to herbicide agents, or treatment for 'jungle rot.'

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The cases of kidney stones, skin cancer (melanoma), and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various cancers, including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer, due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records, addressing the extent of the Veteran's exposure to radiation, preparing a dose estimate by VA, and obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, hypertension, and asbestosis due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for skin cancer is remanded as the Veteran's current diagnosis may be related to long-term sun exposure rather than herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his skin cancer and related conditions are related to service. The right knee and eye disorders remain under review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's melanoma with lung metastasis is related to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran contends that his melanoma was caused by or highly consistent with herbicide agent exposure, but a negative opinion cannot be based solely on the fact that melanoma is not on the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides at Nakhon Phanom Air Base and to determine if his prostate cancer, glaucoma, and skin cancer residuals are related to service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for basal skin cancer and actinic keratosis due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's alleged exposures during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether service-connected melanoma caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from chronic and acute renal failure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for skin cancer, including his Reserve service. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining and considering all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the claims for thyroid condition, skin cancer residuals, and GERD due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to tritium and chemicals used during service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for skin cancer, including as secondary to herbicide agent exposure and/or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is being returned for an addendum medical opinion that addresses whether the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his active duty service, specifically to his exposure to herbicide agents and/or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service, including herbicide exposure or sun exposure. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current diagnosis and any in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, skin cancer, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's statements regarding observable symptoms and his wife’s reports after discharge from service are considered in assessing these conditions.