Skin cancer decisions — 2022

Service connection for prostate disability, stomach disability (including ulcers and GERD), lung disability (including COPD and asthma), and skin cancer is denied. The Veteran's lung disability and skin cancer are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge for the period from January 2005 to October 2008 should be remanded, as well as his claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sacroiliac weakness, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral leg shin splints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hammertoes, bilateral foot disorder, hypertensive heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, maxilla oral surgery scarring, tooth loss and periodontal disease, skin cancer, facial scarring, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, gastrointestinal condition, and skin condition other than skin cancer and/or skin lesions, including tinea cruris. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma of the back, neck, and arms is not related to his active-duty service, including sun exposure or herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of service connection for scars, muscle disability, seventh facial nerve disability, left eye disability, residuals of a radial necrectomy, left jugular vein removal, and parotid gland removal, all secondary to skin cancer. These claims must be remanded again due to non-compliance with previous instructions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability has been reopened, and he is now entitled to have his case reviewed on the merits.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the issue of an earlier effective date for sarcoidosis due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for malignant melanoma, PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, and increased evaluation for sarcoidosis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions regarding his service connection claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, Mohs cancer (skin cancer), chronic neck condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, chronic back pain, left knee condition, right knee condition, and foot conditions. The claims are being returned to the RO with instructions to prepare and issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for scalp scar, skin cancer (not specified), other skin condition (to include chloracne and dry skin on the feet), and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are pending as they have not yet been decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer. The Veteran needs a new opinion that considers his service treatment records and Harvard Health statistics.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the right cheek and left arm due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his in-service exposure to ultraviolet light and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. Specifically, VA examinations are required to assess the severity of his PTSD, as well as his colon cancer, hypertension, GI disability, and skin cancer. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST) due to Agent Orange exposure, but has remanded the issue of service connection for melanoma.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's colon, prostate, skin, and stomach cancer. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for new medical opinions regarding the Veteran's exposure to arsenic compounds, including Agent Blue.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee meniscal tear. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, hypertension, skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including skin cancer, is being remanded for further evaluation due to new evidence received since the final July 2008 rating decision.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, and headaches are also being remanded as there may be a relationship with service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it was caused by sun exposure during service in Vietnam or his presumed exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure and etiology. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, skin cancer, and potential nerve/neurological disability are all being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with prior remand directives and additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service, as well as whether his cancers are related to such exposure. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and skin cancer are being remanded.