Skin cancer decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for fatty liver, right eye macular degeneration with cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rosacea, and malignant melanoma. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has denied service connection for a thyroid disability and remanded the claims of kidney tumor and skin cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service is acknowledged, but further clarification from an addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's skin cancer and related conditions were not incurred during active duty service, nor are they otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish exposure to ionizing radiation that could support a claim for service connection based on such exposure.

The Veteran's claims for multiple myeloma, neck disability, low back disability, and skin cancer have been granted on the basis of service connection due to herbicide exposure under the Blue Water Navy Act.,Service connection is established for multiple myeloma as a result of herbicide exposure during active duty. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing the Veteran's neck disability may be related to his multiple myeloma.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, left arm skin cancer, right arm skin cancer, and hand tremors due to outstanding treatment records and a need for an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for his basal cell carcinoma and residuals of melanoma resection was erroneously docketed twice at the Board. The issues have been dismissed due to administrative error.

The Board has granted service connection for melanoma of the back, neck, and arms as a result of Agent Orange exposure during active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, neck condition, and skin cancer. The skin cancer claim is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for breast cancer status post bilateral mastectomy, left arm lymphedema, and malignant melanoma due to service connection issues. The Veteran's representative argued that her conditions are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure or secondary to a service-connected condition (non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma). However, the VA examiners did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's skin cancer and other skin conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no medical evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension was denied.,Service connection for skin cancer and PTSD were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's melanoma is related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death during the appeal process. The case is now being reviewed with consideration of the appellant's eligibility for accrued benefits.

Leukopenia has been granted service connection, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to ionizing radiation exposure in service.,Service connection for skin cancer remains pending and requires further procedural development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) and is granted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) and is granted.,The Veteran's skin cancer is related to his military service and is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer, melanoma of the right cheek, and melanoma of the left forearm due to exposure to herbicide agents. The VA will obtain additional opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding that he had chloracne during his period of active service.,Service connection is denied for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board finds remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin cancer, osteoporosis, and fractured left hip are all found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to ionizing radiation.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's skin cancers, osteoporosis, and fracture of the left hip.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, which includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The decision finds that the Veteran's exposure to sunlight during his military service is causally linked to his current condition.