Skin cancer decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed all service connection and increased rating claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for metastatic melanoma, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's causes of death, including hypertension, deep vein thrombosis, and melanoma.

The Veteran's malignant melanoma is not presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but the Board finds a VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to service. The Veteran must provide releases for any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and malignant melanoma are remanded for further development and medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, including acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, viral infection, scalp fungal infection, chloracne and skin cancer, due to presumed herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand for the issue of service connection for melanoma due to potential link with Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) as it was not shown to be related to service, including any in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report that did not address whether the Veteran's skin conditions, including actinic keratosis and skin cancer, were aggravated beyond their natural progression due to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for actinic keratosis (claimed as facial skin cancer) and essential tremors. The case was remanded to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a direct link to service and rejecting presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The disorder developed over four decades after service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for actinic keratosis and skin cancer, claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation during service, is denied. His increased hearing loss rating claim is also denied.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Veteran's skin disorder is not related to service, and the Board finds that his alcohol abuse is related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has been rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia has been reopened and is granted. The claims for service connection for skin cancer (melanoma) are remanded.

The Veteran's skin cancer with squamous cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis resulted in scars that are rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal is denied.

Service connection for skin cancer is granted. Service connection for back condition and left shoulder scarring/disfigurement are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is granted. The claim for skin cancer due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the VA has not provided a medical opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's melanomas and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records. The below-the-knee amputation of the right leg is also being remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claims for melanomas, peripheral neuropathy, and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for squamous cell malignant melanoma, including claims of herbicide exposure and excessive sun exposure during service.