Skin cancer — all decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at noncompensable (0%) due to the severity of his hearing impairment not warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for prostate disability, left knee disability, kidney disability, and skin cancer of the left ear are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's left knee disability remains unconnected to his military service. The Board finds that his current symptoms do not correlate with his service history.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to reschedule an examination, and a new one must be scheduled for the Veteran.

Service connection for skin cancer is granted.,An initial rating higher than 20 percent for back disability prior to February 10, 2020, and higher than 40 percent thereafter is denied. The case is remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for melanoma, finding no current diagnosis and noting the Veteran's separation from active service more than 35 years ago. The Board also noted that melanoma is not a disease associated with exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset during active duty or was otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's skin cancer and hypothyroidism are not subject to presumptive service connection based on radiation exposure, but the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a radiation-exposed Veteran. The case is remanded for further development including dose estimates, medical opinions, and an advisory opinion from the Under Secretary for Health.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-melanoma skin cancer, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer due to radiation exposure during service as there was no evidence of in-service onset or a link between the conditions and the alleged exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his timely substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the October 16, 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he was able to maintain full-time employment in law enforcement until his retirement. The Board found that the most probative evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol and hypertension, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board granted service connection for skin cancer due to in-service sun exposure, but denied service connection for thyroid cancer as there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's thyroid cancer and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and chloracne, both of which are presumed due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran currently experiences any disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the appellant's contention that the cause of the Veteran’s death, malignant melanoma, was related to sun exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, malignant melanoma, was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, right foot hallux valgus, prostate cancer, and skin cancer. The Veteran's claims are denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his active service.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits based on a grant of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no freestanding claim and dismissing as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and melanoma with scar, both of which are presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure. The VA examiners' opinions were deemed inadequate due to lack of a clear nexus between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, skin cancer, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his service records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, skin disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure. The RO is instructed to verify whether the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and obtain any relevant medical records.