Skin cancer decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastroesophageal disability, including throat cancer and Barrett's esophagus, and skin cancer due to unclear exposure information. The Veteran served as a chemical parts specialist and had duties involving mustard gas shells at Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his left foot disability prior to November 3, 2017 is dismissed. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected pes planus, has been granted as service connection. The claims for service connection of the left shoulder condition, ulnar condition, wrist condition, and skin condition have been remanded.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for hypertension and melanoma. The appeal is granted in part, with remand necessary for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis and skin cancer were denied as there was no evidence of a direct link to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to his claimed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left ear hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to prostate cancer and skin cancer).,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between his active service and the development of melanoma.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of melanoma was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for throat cancer, skin condition, right knee, and left knee due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with a focus on obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer, finding that it was caused by sun exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer lesion residuals, COPD, and solitary pulmonary nodule are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.,An additional VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and active service, specifically herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, is found to be the result of sun and environmental exposures while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to the promulgation of a decision, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma and herpes zoster, finding that the conditions are not etiologically related to presumed herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, hyperplasia of prostate, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary abnormalities (dyspnea), and skin cancer due to a lack of clear evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's unit was not confirmed as being within or near the DMZ.

The Veteran's service connection for malignant melanoma and nerve damage is granted due to exposure to burn pits during service, with presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The Board also found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected melanoma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for skin cancer, finding that his condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7818.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and respiratory cancer due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.