Skin cancer decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine DDD, hypertension, heart disability (claimed as a heart attack and stent), gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), and skin cancer due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia was denied because it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not etiologically related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's skin cancer claim was remanded due to the PACT Act requiring VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide agent exposure.,The Board found that new evidence from the PACT Act required a de novo review of the skin cancer service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his current diagnosis and his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted as service connected, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) as there was no evidence of in-service occurrence or a nexus to service, and the medical opinions were against the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer. The claim will be reviewed again with a dermatologist.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer, which was previously denied due to lack of presumptive exposure. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin conditions, atrial dysrhythmia and RBBB, and bladder condition due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's melanoma is not related to service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused by Agent Orange exposure and noted the Veteran's daily sun exposure without sunscreen as a contributing factor.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left deltoid squamous cell carcinoma in situ (claimed as skin cancer) is granted from February 3, 2022, to September 15, 2023. After that date, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent and his TDIU and SMC claims are granted.

The Veteran's skin cancer is related to service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his exposure to toxic substances during service and their relationship to his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to investigate whether members of the 1st Mobile Communications Group were sent on temporary duty assignments to Vietnam during the relevant time period.

The Board has found that the Veteran's skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, are service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, chronic lymphoid leukemia, polycythemia vera, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), erectile dysfunction, and incontinence have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his service, including Agent Orange exposure. The case will be reviewed for other theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's diabetes, right and left lower extremity neuropathies, hypertension, and malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma are being remanded due to potential herbicide agent exposure during service. The Board will seek verification of the Veteran's reported exposure at Kadena Air Base or refueling stops in Guam.

The Veteran's PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin condition are all rated based on their severity. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.,Diabetes is also rated based on its severity, with no entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for skin cancer is denied as the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left leg nerve disorders, as well as his skin cancer and respiratory disorder (asthma), are related to service. However, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms since service, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for skin cancer is denied as the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.