Skin cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, specifically his January 2024 hearing testimony regarding multiple instances of sunburn in service. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed skin condition is causally related to active service, including as due to sun exposure, UV radiation, or other exposures within the scope of his service-related duties.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of a heart disability, left knee disability, COPD, and skin cancer. The heart condition claim was already granted by the AOJ.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including a right shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, skin cancer, neck disorder, prostate disorder, otitis externa, and left ear hearing loss. The issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and pancreatitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical etiology opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, eye disability, hernia disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and skin cancer due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions during his period of active duty. The claims are being remanded to obtain information about the Veteran's periods of service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for scar, residuals of lung cancer and remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for skin cancer (melanoma) with surgical graft, and the Board has dismissed this issue as a result.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to a lack of current disability. The claims for skin cancers and back condition are remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's skin cancer claim is being remanded for further development and an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell, basal cell, and melanoma carcinoma of the skin is granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for actinic keratosis, melanoma (back), squamous cell carcinoma, and benign prostatic hyperplasia due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for medical opinions regarding their onset during active duty or inactive duty.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for choroidal melanoma, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's condition resulted from his exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's melanoma and its relation to in-service exposure. The Veteran is requested to provide a new medical opinion considering all potential exposures during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a duty to assist error and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell skin cancer, which the appellant contends is due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. Service connection was denied for melanoma skin cancer as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not considering new evidence, and a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding respiratory condition and skin cancer. The AOJ is required to obtain VA examinations and opinions related to these conditions, including addressing the Veteran's lay statements about their onset and continuity.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, and Parkinson's disease or essential tremors as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos during active service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected due to insufficient evidence. The remaining issues of hypertension, ED, and a skin disability (melanoma) are remanded for further development.