Skin cancer decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and his cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether his skin cancer is related to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining missing service treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to bilateral acute ischemic strokes, intracranial hemorrhage, metastatic melanoma to brain, deep vein thrombosis, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, including actinic keratosis, malignant melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to sunlight and his subsequent development of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to metastatic malignant melanoma, which is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to uncorroborated stressors, but the claim for bipolar disorder and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder was granted. The claim for heart disability (atrial fibrillation with bradycardia and coronary artery disease) resulted in a 60% rating.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchial asthma is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist ganglion cysts are remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has these conditions and whether they are related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection of his right wrist ganglion cyst due to his service-connected right wrist fracture residuals and/or carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded. The Board will also decide if this condition is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his hypertension is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his restless leg syndrome is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his rhinitis is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his sinusitis is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine arthritis, is remanded. The Board will also decide if this condition is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his skin cancer is remanded. The Board will determine if the Veteran has this condition and whether it is related to his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea. The TDIU claim was granted, and a remand was ordered for a new VA examination regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees. The issue of service connection for a skin condition (claimed as skin cancer) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma and his conceded Agent Orange exposure is inadequate. The case is being remanded to provide an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for right hand amputation of thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger.,The Board also denied service connection for a left knee disorder, hypertensive vascular disease (claimed as hypertension and systolic hypertension), aortic aneurysm, and skin cancer.

The Veteran's skin cancer is not considered to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.