Skin cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating prior to November 19, 2013, and a rating in excess of 60 percent from April 24, 2018, for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The issue of service connection for skin cancer with scars is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, the increased rating for PTSD from May 31, 2018 to October 17, 2019, and service connection claims for cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and multiple melanomas.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The skin cancer claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the likely etiology of the Veteran's skin conditions and whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining updated VA treatment records and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for skin cancer and schwannoma tumors due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's skin cancer is related to in-service radiation exposure, but not herbicide exposure. The schwannoma tumors are related to in-service herbicide exposure, but not radiation exposure.

The Veteran's skin disability was denied service connection, but he is granted a TDIU effective October 8, 2019.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders and skin cancer. The remand includes obtaining a new VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including considering his in-service reports of symptoms and duty-related stressors.

The Board denied service connection for prostate, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, and skin cancers of the nose and other skin conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the underlying claims remain denied.,New evidence has not provided a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition to include skin cancer, but the respiratory condition claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided by the May 2021 examiner is inadequate for the purpose of readjudicating the Veteran's appeal. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain a new opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disability, specifically his malignant melanoma.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant melanoma of the right wrist/forearm and any associated scars, finding that the Veteran's condition manifested within one year after discharge from active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's melanoma is being reviewed based on exposure to sunlight and/or herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's skin cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, are found to be related to service exposure. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The appeals for service connection and rating of the Veteran's conditions have been dismissed. A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD from May 23, 2012, and a TDIU rating is granted.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include coronary atherosclerosis, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agent during service in Korea. The Veteran's skin cancer and hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin cancer is being remanded for further development to identify possible contaminant exposures during his service in Guam, including TCE, and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether these exposures could have contributed to the development of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right eye disability and skin cancer due to incomplete development in previous examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to address his claims.