Skin cancer Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for prostatitis and skin problems, to include skin cancers.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of use of insulin or hospitalizations.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board remanded these issues as there are questions about their onset in service.,Service connection was established for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin fungus (tinea pedis), and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma).,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is not yet service connected.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for skin cancer of the face due to Agent Orange exposure, service connection for allergies due to Agent Orange exposure, and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent on any skin disabilities or back injuries. There is no current diagnosis of skin cancer, but his VA medical records show a history of a rash on his face. Service connection for allergies and degenerative arthritis due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded as there was not an examination assessing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for melanoma. The Veteran contends that his current skin condition, including melanoma, is related to sunburns he experienced while stationed in Nha Trang during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for metastatic brain tumor, parathyroid condition, and skin cancer (melanoma) due to his conceded exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service injury or disease, including now conceded herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin lesions, including melanoma, due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam. The case is being sent back for a VA examination and for the Veteran to provide authorization for any private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for tonsillitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pre-skin cancer/cancer due to asbestos exposure is remanded.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for several of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cause of death, including pulmonary fibrosis, honeycomb lung, and malignant melanoma of the auricle.

The Board denied service connection for a CV disorder, skin cancer, bilateral lower extremity edema, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations and opinions regarding service connection for residuals of chondrosarcoma tumors of bone and soft tissue and skin cancer. The claims are related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the cause of death (listed as brain cancer with a contributory cause listed as melanoma) is related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's psoriasis, which was not service-connected, may have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also notes that VA treatment records from Fort Harrison and Missoula CBOC need to be obtained.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, due to herbicide exposure is granted. Service connection for this condition is also granted. The claims for skin cancer and respiratory disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular cancer, coronary artery disease, lung disorder, and skin disorder (melanoma), all claimed as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The case will be returned to VA to obtain authorization and request relevant medical records, verify the Veteran’s inservice exposure, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The decision also remanded the issue of increased rating for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer and Parkinson's disease with thalamotomy for right-sided tremor, finding insufficient evidence to support a grant of presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation or ultraviolet light during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right eye blindness and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 70% for his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for melanoma with scar and asthma, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for skin cancer. The decision on the hearing loss claim is based on noise exposure during service, while the skin cancer claim was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.