Skin cancer decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, chemical hypersensitivity, fatigue and soreness disorder, back disorder, skin disorder, memory loss disorder, skin cancers, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The claims are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for denying service connection for skin cancer of the upper back, specifically regarding in-service sun exposure and/or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer but has remanded the issue of service connection for dysentery due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin condition, including melanoma and actinic keratosis, is related to his service exposure to sun. As a result, the claim for service connection for a skin condition is granted.

The appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, skin cancer (secondary to herbicide exposure), and peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for malignant melanoma due to inadequate consideration of evidence and a lack of opinion regarding in-service sun exposure. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to metastatic skin cancer and head and neck cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his active service or presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for skin cancer, chronic fatigue, prostate cancer, and brain tumor as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for skin cancer and chronic bronchitis due to insufficient VA medical opinions and failure to obtain all relevant private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's skin cancer and its relation to service, including herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also asked to provide an opinion on whether his skin cancer could be related to sun exposure while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disorder (to include hypertension), as well as the cause of the Veteran's death.,The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability in any of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) of the right cheek and left arm, finding that in-service sun exposure was a significant risk factor for developing this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disability, skin cancer, gastrointestinal disability (diverticulitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.,Specifically, a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancer and gastrointestinal disabilities (including diverticulitis and GERD) began in or are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of malignant melanoma of the right arm is granted, and he is awarded a 60 percent rating for sarcoidosis. He also receives TDIU benefits effective from July 21, 2009, when his additional disabilities other than sarcoidosis independently rated at 60 percent or more were established.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted service connection, with a current rating of 70 percent.,Service connection for melanoma (claimed as a skin condition) has also been established.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a heart attack has been withdrawn.,A disability rating of 70 percent was granted from December 14, 2016 to February 28, 2020 for major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The appeal for a higher rating is denied from February 28, 2020 onwards.

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

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence. The claim for skin cancer is remanded as well. Further development is needed to verify exposure to herbicide agents at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and service connection for thymoma cancer and skin cancer. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.