Skin cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease and skin cancer, both presumed due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. The rating assigned is 100%.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. ,Service connection is also granted for skin cancer, with the presumption of exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been denied.,The Veteran's skin disorder and respiratory disorder claims are pending, with remand required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection, including imaging from his cervical spine and skin cancer. The Veteran was not afforded a VA examination for his cervical spine condition when he initially filed his claim in October 2007.,The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. He has provided information suggesting other factors may contribute to the risk of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart, neurological, and skin conditions. The VA must provide addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, sleep apnea with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, scars, tinnitus, history of basal cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to November 24, 2008. As such, the Veteran is granted an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss effective from October 31, 2002, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's right eye disability is not presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board has ordered a remand for an expert opinion on whether the Veteran's melanoma malignant right eye was caused by his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for her residual scar due to malignant melanoma is granted, with an effective date of October 22, 2016. The Board found the scar painful and unstable, warranting a 20 percent rating under DC 7804.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal of the claim for service connection for malignant melanoma, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to pancreatic cancer, which is service-connected. His skin cancers and renal cell carcinoma also contributed substantially to his death. The Board granted burial benefits as the Veteran's death was service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for skin cancer on head and a compensable rating for left ear drum rupture due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities (right knee disability, lymphoma, skin cancer) and his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, exposure to burn pits, and additional examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer, bilateral foot fungal disorder, and skin cancer of the right cheek are being examined for potential links to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, skin disorder (claimed as skin cancer on head), and respiratory disorder (emphysema) due to potential issues with service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left toenail condition, xerosis of forearms, actinic keratosis, demodex folliculitis, chronic otitis externa (left ear pain), and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for malignant melanoma, cataracts, GERD, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to various issues with the evidence or need for additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder related to sun exposure, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and actinic keratosis. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current skin pathology is due to his in-service sun exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of skin cancer are granted service connection. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed thyroid disorder.

Service connection for iritis has been granted.,The issue of service connection for skin cancer is being remanded.