Skin cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current skin cancer is related to service, and after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, has determined that service connection for skin cancer is warranted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for squamous cell various, skin cancer due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus type II based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease (CAD) with atrial fibrillation based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for hypertension based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for lymphoma based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for renal adenocarcinoma with renal insufficiency based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.

The Veteran's skin cancer is rated at 100% disabling, but the Board finds that it is likely to improve with treatment and removal of lesions. Therefore, permanent total status for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer of the nose, ears, and face and depression as secondary to skin cancer. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to in-service exposure to sunlight.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMII) is denied. The claim for service connection for skin cancer is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's skin cancer, which may be related to his service at Camp Lejeune. The examiner is asked to consider all toxic exposures during the Veteran's deployments.

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer, as it pertains to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for a right hip condition, to include right hip replacement and left hip condition. The claim of service connection for skin cancer was also denied. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service or any in-service exposure to herbicides. The Board concluded that the medical evidence did not support a causal relationship.

The Board has already granted service connection for melanoma of the skin in a previous decision, so this appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's skin cancer/basal cell carcinoma is granted as due to herbicide exposure, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD. Effective dates are not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's melanoma metastases to the lung, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected melanoma.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining a medical opinion and developing evidence, including outstanding treatment records and military personnel records.

The Veteran's hypertension is manifested by systolic pressures predominantly less than 160 and diastolic pressures less than 100; the Veteran requires continuous medication to control his hypertension. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension is denied.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of in-service audiometric data under both ASA and ISO-ANSI standards, requiring additional examination.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for stroke residuals is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to active service, including exposure to herbicides.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for skin cancer is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to active service, including exposure to herbicides.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder) is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits, asbestos, and herbicide agents.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service connected. The right shoulder injury and skin cancer claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's malignant melanoma is not etiologically related to his active service, including herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 28, 2020 for the Veteran's painful and disfiguring scars of the face. However, it denied an earlier effective date for his painful scars on the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and blocked artery in bowels are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for melanoma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to extensive sun exposure during his active duty in Vietnam.