Skin cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's metastatic melanoma and ischemic heart disease (CAD with stent placement) have been granted service connection based on direct evidence of their existence during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is granted, and the case is remanded for additional development. The claims of a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and TDIU prior to December 17, 2019 are also remanded.

The Board has found that the VA opinions obtained in previous remands were inadequate and requires further development to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin cancer and pancreatitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA and private medical records, and will discuss continuity of symptomatology evidence on remand.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and melanoma. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer, including residuals and as secondary to herbicide exposure, due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's malignant melanoma and his military service. The case will be reviewed with a new medical examination.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran who served in active military from October 1962 to December 1964.

The Veteran's skin cancer was not related to his active duty service and the Board denied service connection for it.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's private doctors have not provided adequate opinions on the etiology of these conditions, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, and skin cancer have been granted. The claim for skin cancer is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, as the RO did not comply with a previous directive to provide the Veteran's file to an appropriate Records Research Specialist.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically malignant melanoma. The lung disorder claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart and skin cancer of the extremities have been dismissed. The Board has referred other issues to the RO.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder and skin disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to in-service events or diseases, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of skin cancer but has remanded the claim for arthritis with bone disease due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a dental condition, inguinal hernia, irritable bowel condition (IBS), and skin rashes. The remaining issues of service connection for a chronic joint condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and skin cancer are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.,The Board is seeking clarification on the qualifications of the examiner who provided the August and September 2022 opinions, particularly regarding their experience in rheumatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer is remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The AOJ should address the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents and toxins in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and schedule him for a VA examination to determine if his current skin cancer diagnosis is related to service.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including as due to exposure to burn pits, and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as fallen arches) are remanded for further development.