Skin cancer decisions — 2022

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives for service connection of chronic headaches and multiple melanomas, and therefore, these claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, and he needs to undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, including carcinoma and melanoma of the skin. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current skin conditions.

Your appeals for service connection regarding bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear skin cancer have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and malignant melanoma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to tactical herbicide agents during his service in Thailand is presumed. The decision also acknowledges the Appellant's claims of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's ocular cicatricial pemphigoid with severe vision loss is granted as service connected due to exposure to carbon tetrachloride in service. The issues of service connection for residuals of skin cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, and chronic pancreatitis are remanded.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for a heart condition and an increased rating for malignant melanoma. The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, under DC 7804 for one painful left upper extremity scar from April 13, 2021, is granted.

The Board has remanded four service connection claims: erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, GERD with acid reflux, and skin cancer. The remand requires the AOJ to obtain addendum medical opinions addressing the etiology of each condition in relation to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and any prescribed medications related to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for skin cancer, nose and chest scarring post biopsies, and a skin disorder are being reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of a compensable rating for intertrigo and service connection for skin cancer. The Veteran's skin conditions are currently rated as non-compensable, and VA needs to provide an updated examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his intertrigo, including whether topical treatment affects his body as a whole. For his skin cancer claim, VA must obtain a medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left arm peripheral neuropathy and scars of the left upper extremity and left chest associated with malignant melanoma residuals were granted. The Veteran's right knee strain was denied, but his separate evaluation for a meniscus condition with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint is granted.

The Board denied service connection for cancer (prostate and melanoma), right knee disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active-duty service.

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and remands the claims for further development.

The claim of a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 prior to April 15, 2014 is denied as moot due to the Veteran's current 100% disability rating for schizophrenia. The claim of service connection for melanoma is remanded.

The Veteran's melanoma is related to his exposure to burn pits during service in Iraq and Kuwait, and the Board has granted service connection on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals from melanoma on his right side of the abdomen has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request by his authorized representative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for skin disabilities, including basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. The examiner's opinion is needed to address whether these conditions are related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for skin cancer due to sun exposure while onboard ship in the Navy. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his skin condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his heart conditions and their relationship to service. The issues of service connection are related to various heart disabilities, including a heart murmur, an aortic valve replacement, and other secondary conditions.

The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to in-service events.,Service connection for the right adrenal adenoma is granted based on it being a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI).