Skin cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension have been granted service connection based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The right hand neurological disability, left hand neurological disability, skin disability (including melanoma, multiple myeloma, and nevus), organic disease of the central nervous system (previously claimed as residuals of a stroke), and respiratory disorder (including asthma and chronic cough) have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination and conflicting statements about sun exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his mid-sternum scar associated with coronary artery bypass graft has not been granted.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeals for lung disorder, hypertension, and skin cancer due to military environmental exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding asbestos exposure in service and to determine if any causes of death were related to such exposure. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as metastatic colorectal cancer, but there are other cancers that may be related to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left wide excision melanoma, left flank is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for colorectal cancer is also remanded due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information provided by a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancers. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion from a dermatologist addressing the relationship between the Veteran's in-service sun exposure and his skin cancer, as well as any contribution from herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, and the issues for dermatological disorder (initially claimed as skin cancer) and lung disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's skin cancer and hypogonadism are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's asthma is also not service-connected as there is no evidence that it developed during or was caused by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, and skin cancer based on accrued benefits due to lack of a diagnosis of primary cancer in each case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, including malignant melanoma, and as due to in-service exposure to herbicides/sun. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current skin disorder was associated with his military service or in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for lung cancer secondary to skin cancer, which is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and actinic keratosis are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of his condition, specifically regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for hypertension as a full grant of benefits was already awarded. The application to reopen the skin disorder claim, including melanoma, is granted and remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus, skin cancer, scars, and headaches, have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left second toe melanoma residuals and remanded the issues of presumptive service connection for pes cavus in the Veteran's left foot and secondary service connection for his left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the head and nose, scarring of the head and nose, and TDIU due to issues with previous VA examinations/opinions. The case is being returned for new addendum opinions from a dermatologist.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; right lung pulmonary fibrosis; restrictive lung diseases; skin cancer of the entire body; enlarged prostate with elevated PSAs; heart disability; erectile dysfunction; stroke; hypertension; left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; sleep apnea; and loss of use of the right arm and hand due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Korea prior to September 1, 1967.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for malignant melanoma and a TDIU claim due to a single disability.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, but remanded the skin cancer claim due to a lack of VA examination.