Skin cancer Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin cancers, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, neuropathy of the legs and toes, and service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for malignant melanoma was granted. For PTSD, a higher initial rating prior to October 29, 2011, and an increased disability rating from that date were both granted. The claim for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder and skin cancer.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn by the appellant at her hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for lymphoma and skin cancer are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and skin condition. For the period prior to April 7, 2017, he was not granted a compensable rating for his actinic keratosis, multiple, with basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma excisions. After that date, he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and their residuals are related to his in-service sun exposure. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Raynaud's syndrome, cellulitis, skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), cutaneous vascular disorder (CVD), and contact dermatitis and eczema have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and PTSD are not service connected, but he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer of the face and torso were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other form of presumed exposure. The diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right foot disorder and knee disorders, were denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions are related to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the left cheek and assigned a compensable rating for skin cancer excision, right mid-lateral back/right back and left upper back. The claim for skin cancer excision, left frontal scalp/left temple at hairline is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's skin disorders, including melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. The examiner must reconcile prior diagnoses with current findings and provide an opinion on whether each disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant increased ratings and denied his claims for service connection of a right eye condition. The evidence did not show a nexus between the in-service injury and current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and urinary disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and a respiratory disorder, both claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and lung disorders (melanoma of the face and back, COPD) were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to service, including in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during his service in Vietnam and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease.