Skin cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for skin cancer was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the right leg disability claim was reopened but still denied. Service connection for hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption. PTSD was denied as there is no diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found no nexus between these conditions and active service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD and pneumonia, skin cancer, a back disability, and a heart disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity of these conditions.

The Veteran's skin disability, claimed as skin cancer, was not shown to be chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is also not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia, was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's anemia was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, residuals of injuries to the feet, and submental cellulitis have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis or evidence of any residual conditions from service.

The Board has granted service connection for melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma as these conditions are found to have originated during active service.

The appeal challenging the reduction of the Veteran's rating for actinic keratosis with a history of skin cancer from 60% to 10% is denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's skin cancer and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lentigo malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma are remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions. The appeal is not about presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin cancer and scarring of the head and nose, as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete factual premises in a previous VA medical opinion. The Veteran's active duty service is considered, but his diagnoses predate his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for leukemia, diabetes, gallbladder disability, hypertension, myeloma, pressure hives, gout, and joint pain have all been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation or non-ionizing radiation that could be related to these conditions.,The Veteran was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, diabetes in 2003, gallbladder disability in 1990, and had other diagnoses but no residuals at any time during the pendency of the claim. The Board found there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple skin cancers, finding that the condition originated during active service due to extensive sun exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for non-melanomatous skin cancers, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to his sun exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's melanoma of the left shoulder, which is presumed related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests a new evaluation from a dermatologist.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for kidney cancer and melanoma due to new evidence received after the March 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted service connection as related to radiation exposure during service.,Service connection for a thyroid condition as related to ionizing radiation exposure is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and a benign brain tumor are being remanded due to inadequate development regarding exposure to environmental hazards during his military service.