Skin cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected skin cancer is dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal in a June 2022 Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Veteran's skin cancer and cardiovascular disability are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer, and a brain tumor. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, melanoma, and a heart condition due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a dermatological disorder, hypertension, and lung disorder due to incomplete private medical records. The appellant is required to provide any authorized treatment records from Holy Cross Hospital, Dr. C.L.K., and Dr. T.R.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease and hypertension. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation, implanted cardiac pacemaker, and sick sinus syndrome status post VVI pacemaker placement are remanded due to inadequate opinions.,Service connection is granted for a skin disability (residuals of jungle rot, actinic keratosis, melanoma) as due to herbicide agent exposure and/or sunlight exposure. The Veteran's diagnoses of neoplasm of unspecified behavior of bone, soft tissue, and skin, angioma, and lentigo are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Board has not fully complied with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for skin cancer. The matter is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin cancer began in service or is directly related to his active service, including his herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while in service and skin cancer is not presumptively service connected due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, which resulted in metastatic malignant melanoma. The Board granted the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the relationship between prior cancers and service. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence does not support a nexus between his skin cancers and herbicide exposure or any skin disorders during service, thus denying service connection for skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, skin cancer (including basal cell carcinoma), and enlarged prostate due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and respiratory disability due to incomplete development of his claims, including lack of evidence regarding radiation exposure and asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and skin cancer are all granted as they are presumed to be related to his service due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for retinopathy is remanded. The issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his skin cancer scars and a TDIU, due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the severity of his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a tremor disorder and skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), to include as secondary to service-connected burn residuals. The claims are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for seborrheic keratosis and chronic kidney disease as secondary to service-connected hypertension disability. Service connection is remanded for blood clots in bilateral lower extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, prostate disorder, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service. The claims are being returned for further development including obtaining VA treatment records from a specific time period and scheduling additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's skin cancer and retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.