Skin cancer decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that the Veteran may have been exposed to toxic substances during his service, including RF radiation and asbestos. However, VA did not obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between these exposures and the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all necessary service treatment records and failed to provide a VA medical opinion addressing the cause of death. The claim is being remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's liver condition, bilateral knee arthritis, and skin cancer have not been shown to have begun in service or be related to service, including by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis have not been shown to have begun in service or be related to service, including by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the cause of death and its relation to service, including in-service dental treatment. The Veteran died from acute renal failure, metastatic melanoma, cerebral metastasis, or seizure disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and skin cancer have been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot issue a decision on these claims as the appeal is moot.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, lower urinary tract symptoms with incomplete emptying of the bladder, and skin cancer. The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his participation in a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) during service. His LUTS are secondary to his now service-connected prostate cancer. His skin cancer is linked to his exposure to sunlight during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for malignant melanoma and lung cancer due to a failure to fully develop the record regarding toxic risk exposure activities. The Veteran's service records indicate he was exposed to herbicides during his military service, but further development is needed to include non-herbicide exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for pars planitis is dismissed, and he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of his left eye.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin cancer, facial scars, impairment of cranial nerve V and VII, left eye condition with watering and dryness, and left shoulder pain due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and a skin disorder to include scars and skin cancer due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's lung cancer and metastatic malignant melanoma were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents or ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

The Veteran's service connection for melanoma and initial rating higher than 20 percent prior to May 22, 2025 and 30 percent thereafter for right upper extremity tremors and rigidity (radial nerve) as due to Parkinson's disease have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and low back disability due to duty-to-assist errors, inadequate medical opinions, and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's melanoma removal scar is not at least 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) in area, so a compensable rating for this condition is denied.,Service connection has been granted for right hip strain, left hip strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain based on the persuasive balance of evidence supporting their relationship to service.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease and residual scar status post appendix removal were not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, but the other issues remained denied or not met.,Service connection was denied for left hand disability, skin cancer, heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, low back disability, and sleep disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2024 for TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the threshold requirement of having a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities at any time prior to July 11, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma were caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine are granted as service connected due to continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, is granted as service connected based on presumed exposure to burn pits during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bladder cancer, heart condition, and melanoma due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and radiation. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and schedule him for VA examinations.