Prostate cancer decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals of a TURP, both claimed as secondary to service-connected prostatitis. The claim for increased rating for prostatitis is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there was no competent medical evidence of current prostate cancer and thus failing to meet the burden of submitting a well-grounded claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and for VA Chapter 35 benefits, finding that the evidence did not support a plausible claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for prostate cancer and impotency, finding the current ratings of 10 percent for residuals of prostate cancer and noncompensable rating for impotency are appropriate.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer and denied a compensable rating for impotency.

The veteran's bladder and prostate cancer residuals are primarily manifested by urinary frequency, with intervals between daytime voiding of one hour to one hour and twenty minutes and nocturia occurring three times a night. The RO denied an increased evaluation for these disabilities.

The Board has awarded a 20% disability rating for the veteran's residuals of prostate cancer with prostatectomy, finding that his symptoms most nearly approximate the criteria warranting this evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for compensation benefits for postoperative residuals of lung cancer pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is well grounded, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's service in a B-52 aircraft over Vietnam did not qualify him for presumptive exposure to herbicides, and thus denied his claim of service connection for prostate cancer as a result of such exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability and prostate cancer as not well-grounded. The claim of increased evaluation for low back disability is granted, but the TDIU claim must be reevaluated by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and microscopic polyarteritis nodosa, finding that there was no reasonable possibility that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied because he failed to cooperate with a scheduled VA examination, and his visual acuity did not meet the criteria for blindness.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no evidence to support a finding that prostate cancer or any other condition caused by military service contributed to the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an increased disability rating for his postoperative residuals of colon cancer, finding that there was no reasonable possibility that either condition resulted from radiation exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and prostate cancer, including as due to Agent Orange exposure. The denial was based on lack of evidence showing in-service exposure or a causal link between current conditions and service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's service-connected conditions to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy, finding the veteran did not perfect a timely appeal. Service connection for PTSD was granted due to credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The VA has denied the claims of increased evaluation for anxiety neurosis with psychotic features, service connection for prostate cancer with metastases, low back disorder, and headaches. The appellant's psychiatric condition is rated at 30 percent under the schedular criteria.

The veteran died from nonservice-connected prostate cancer and was not properly hospitalized by VA at the time of his death, so he is not eligible for burial allowance.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.