Skin cancer decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to issues with obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin disability, claimed as melanomas, is remanded due to lack of evidence during the appeal period.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg are both remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional research and development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to hazardous chemicals while stationed at Fort McLellan, which may be related to her skin cancer of the nose, erythematous rash, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and osteoarthritis. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of current disability related to service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence regarding the skin disorder.,The Veteran's melanoma is presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for rosacea and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals, torn Achilles tendon with calf atrophy, right foot are dismissed.,Service connection for skin cancer to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder melanoma, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Service connection is granted for a left Achilles tendon tear as secondary to a service-connected respiratory disability.,Service connection is granted for hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, skin cancer, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The issues have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability to include coronary artery disease and skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The claim of service connection for spleen condition with splenectomy is dismissed.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease and melanoma are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for pancreatic cancer is also granted under the same presumption.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as moot due to a recent grant in an April 2022 rating decision. Service connection was granted for hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease, and PTSD was rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeals for melanoma, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and hypothyroidism were also addressed.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating higher than 60 percent for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and needs further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for the Veteran's conditions, including skin cancer and chloracne secondary to Agent Orange exposure, as well as PTSD and bilateral hand and finger arthritis due to fractures. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as the evidence did not support symptoms consistent with a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2022, was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ankle, hand, knee, skin, heart, prostate, and erectile dysfunction conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, as well as his claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant. Additional development is needed to confirm the Veteran's alleged in-service TDY to Vietnam.

The Veteran's current diagnosed unspecified anxiety disorder is related to in-service traumatic experiences, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The matter of the Veteran's melanoma claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence on file regarding exposure to toxic substances.

The Board has denied service connection for bladder mass, skin cancer, and hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there is sufficient evidence of a positive association between hypertension and herbicide agents used during the Vietnam War.