Skin cancer Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not participate in a radiation-risk activity during service and therefore, he is not considered a radiation-exposed veteran. As such, his claims for service connection for skin cancer and acute myelogenous leukemia cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and malignant melanoma of the right lung as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, melanoma and skin cancer of the neck and right cheek, atrial fibrillation, sterility, bilateral hearing loss, and nose disability have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's request for service connection for residuals of skin cancer, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was caused by metastatic malignant melanoma, which is related to sun exposure during his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the ears and arms, and for a pulmonary/respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to Agent Orange exposure and denied diabetes mellitus for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder is being remanded due to the failure to attend a VA examination and the need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current skin disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorders, including skin cancer and actinic keratoses, were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of military service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to post-service sun exposure over an 86-year period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for brain cancer was denied. His claims for increased ratings for migraine and tension headaches, as well as dyshidrotic eczema, were also denied.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including claimed skin melanoma and actinic keratosis, was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, a heart disorder, skin cancer, sinus disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and skin cancer, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim of secondary service connection for skin cancer as secondary to PTSD is denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for metastatic melanoma of the adrenal gland, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and the condition. The appeal is based on accrued benefits purposes.

The Board finds that the appellant has been granted service connection for actinic keratones, scalp and right earlobe. However, service connection for skin cancer is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's skin cancer, finding that it is at least in equipoise with his military service. The issue of nonservice-connected pension benefits remains pending and will be addressed after the initial rating assignment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hands was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnosis or chronicity of this condition during service or post-service.

The claim for service connection for the cause of death was reopened and it is determined that new evidence has been presented to support this claim. The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic melanoma, is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin cancer, and leukemia, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.