Skin cancer decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete private medical records and for an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin disorder, including skin cancer or scars associated with lesion removal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations regarding his claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's skin disorder, to include skin cancer, and prostate disorder are remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's malignant melanoma, particularly in relation to service and exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted service connection, but the intraosseous meningioma claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a skin disorder based on new and material evidence. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any current chronic skin disorders, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disability, hemorrhoids, and skin cancer due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for skin cancer, a back condition, and a urinary disorder. The hypertension is related to presumed herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The skin cancer, back condition, and urinary disorder are not linked to service or presumptive herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, to include skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury, disease or event related to his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder melanoma due to conflicting statements from a previous VA examiner and the need to distinguish sun exposure during service versus sun exposure before and after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disability due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, and his post-service medical records show current diagnoses of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma in-situ) and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to ionizing radiation exposure for cancer of the oral cavity, bladder cancer, and skin cancer. The Veteran's statements regarding his exposure have been considered, but a dose estimate could not be provided without more information. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hearing loss was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for acid reflux disorder, colon disorder, stomach disorder, and skin disorder (melanoma and associated scarring).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his service-connected right eye chalazion or to ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability including chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and cancer, as well as multiple myeloma. The evidence did not support presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, kidney cancer, and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical records and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's malignant melanoma of the left iris with intermittent exotropia pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as these conditions have already been granted in a February 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to his death. The claims were related to Crohn's disease, intestine removal residuals, and skin cancers.

The Board has granted service connection for recurring basal cell carcinoma and multiple melanomas with scarring, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure. The decision is based on medical opinions supporting a link between the Veteran's current skin disorders and his Vietnam service.