Skin cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension was denied, and the issue of service connection for skin cancer is remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his blood pressure readings.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of colon resection surgery, melanoma cancer, and pancreatic cancer due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Barrett's Disease, a heart condition, and melanoma due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claims for eczema, skin cancer (face), and migraine headaches were granted with effective dates of March 1, 2021. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea and lower back injury/fusion was denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of skin cancer due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to develop the record to determine if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during service. The Veteran claims exposure to ionizing radiation as a Nike-Hercules missile crewman.

The Board has denied service connection for skin cancer and remanded the issue of service connection for a bladder mass due to presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's representative requested another hearing, but the claims are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer, diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of skin cancer and scars, as there were errors in notifying the Veteran and providing a proper VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to toxic exposure, including PACT Act and Camp Lejeune exposures. The Veteran's in-service toxic exposure is not conceded but raised by his testimony and historical records. Further development is needed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's skin lesions, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, are related to service or to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and cervical strain due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ must provide a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to active duty service, specifically Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. Service connection is denied for skin cancer as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for melanoma has been dismissed as the claim is moot since they were already awarded service connection in a previous decision.

Effective July 16, 2018, the Veteran is granted an increased rating of 30 percent for gastroparesis and service connection for residuals from skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. The effective dates are tied to the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma of the lung is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking his condition to Agent Orange exposure. A VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether there is a link between the Veteran's lung cancer and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his active service and his condition. The Board noted that while the Veteran had been exposed to sun, Agent Orange, and other environmental factors during service, these exposures did not establish a causal relationship with his current skin cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, melanoma cancer, and kidney cancer, all of which the Veteran contends are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, melanoma cancer, and kidney cancer, all of which the Veteran contends are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by squamous cell carcinoma, which is service-connected on a direct basis due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board grants an effective date of November 1, 2018 for DIC benefits.

The Veteran's melanoma on his face was not found to be caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during service, and thus service connection is denied.