Skin cancer decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability. The claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and skin cancer disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for melanoma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service is at least as likely as not linked to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of melanoma due to insufficient consideration of new medical literature linking jet fuels and solvents to melanoma.

The Veteran's skin cancer is related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for status-post melanoma excision, right neck area has been dismissed as the appeal is no longer valid due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate condition, hypertension, chronic headaches, ED, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, skin condition (melanoma of neck and face), back disability, left ankle injury, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to a duty to assist error.,The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded as the Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are required to determine whether these claimed disabilities are etiologically related to his active service or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's melanoma on the face is granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically sun exposure while working as an Aircraft Mechanic.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and hypertension due to potential new evidence received, as well as concerns about exposure to toxic environmental agents (TERA) during active military service.

The Veteran's skin cancer residual scars of the head, face, or neck have not been manifested by visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features; or four or five characteristics of disfigurement. As such, a higher rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma is remanded due to potential errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and a need for an etiology opinion regarding the relationship between his melanoma and active service, including presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye malignant choroidal melanoma is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's skin cancer is etiologically related to his active-duty service and grants this claim. The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that there is no nexus between his current diagnosis and active duty service or herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The effective date for the grants was set at July 26, 2018.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed skin conditions. The claims for service connection are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant melanoma, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is more likely than not caused by his time as an aviator during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroparesis and skin cancers, with a 40% rating assigned for gastroparesis. The effective date of the grant of service connection is June 10, 2019.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, is granted as service-connected due to in-service sun exposure.