Skin cancer decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral leg and foot conditions, liver condition, pancreas condition, spleen condition, skin cancer, and thyroid condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and a TDIU claim. The reasons for the remand include scheduling of VA examinations and addressing functional impairment.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal conditions (constipation, diverticulitis, colon polyps, and diverticulosis), and skin cancer were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection for headaches was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer residuals, skin cancer residuals, tremors, vascular dementia, and colon cancer residuals due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The AOJ is instructed to contact the DTRA regarding any test operations conducted at the NV test site during 1961 and a search for a radiation badge associated with the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorders, including whether they are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for metastatic melanoma and cause of death due to metastatic melanoma. The underlying cause of the Veteran's death was metastatic melanoma, which is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is considered to have developed due to in-service sun exposure. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear melanoma in situ is related to their sun exposure during service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, skin cancer, and Alzheimer's dementia due to alleged exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) and/or ionizing radiation during his active duty in Okinawa. The AOJ is required to verify this exposure and obtain a dose estimate if necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further clarification. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric condition, basal cell carcinoma skin cancer, and residuals of squamous cell carcinoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy, as these conditions are not among the presumptive conditions listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e). The Veteran is being asked to provide additional medical evidence or opinions regarding the relationship of his current conditions to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's skin cancer residuals and actinic keratoses of the scalp, face, and neck are rated at a 30 percent rating throughout.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer due to inadequate opinions in previous remands. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of clarification on the relationship between the Veteran's skin cancer and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and sun exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right hip disability have not been found to be service-connected.,Service connection for a skin condition (melanoma) has also not been established. The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder remains under review, with the Board finding that remand is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin conditions and his service, including exposure to herbicide agents and sun exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and right ear skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted as service connected, with the condition being related to his active duty service and specifically due to Agent Orange exposure.