Prostate cancer decisions — 2001

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer, which he asserts was due to Agent Orange exposure. The RO assigned February 17, 1994 as the effective date based on VA regulatory changes and the Nehmer stipulation. The veteran argues that his claim should be granted with a November 1993 effective date.

The veteran is appealing for a higher rating for his service-connected postoperative residuals of a prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The RO has requested additional VA treatment records and a current VA examination to determine the severity of his condition.

The veteran's death was caused by prostate cancer, but the service-connected drug dependence from a VA documented service injury may have contributed to his demise.

The Board found that the veteran's prostate cancer is not causally related to any in-service radiation exposure and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and cataracts due to exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that it is unlikely these conditions are related to such exposure.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that it was not established as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was denied because there was no income information available at the time of his death, which is a requirement for such benefits.

The veteran's death is determined to be service-connected due to prostate cancer, which was a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran also had basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) as his cause of death is service-connected.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking the veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service to his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal prostate cancer and lung cancer to his military service or any possible exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not indicate a causal relationship.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and residuals of TURP, both claimed as secondary to the service-connected prostatitis. The claim for an increased rating for prostatitis is still pending.

The veteran's appeal is granted, with a 20% disability evaluation for the residuals of prostate cancer as of April 1, 1999. The issue of service connection for skin cancer due to sun exposure during service remains pending and requires further development.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability of service origin, nor may his death be presumed to be related to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and also denied eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and assigned a 100% disability evaluation, effective January 20, 2000. The veteran's claim was reopened in January 2000 after he submitted new evidence of his condition.

The veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connection due to exposure to herbicides used in the Vietnam Conflict, which has been linked to prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and lung cancer due to occupational exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in service. The appellant's claim was reopened on new evidence, but the claims were still not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer and skin cancer are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 1998, for a grant of service connection for prostate cancer. The decision stated that the veteran did not meet all eligibility criteria for the liberalized benefit on November 7, 1996 (the effective date of the liberalizing regulation) and thus could only be granted retroactive benefits up to one year prior to the date of receipt of his claim.

The VA determined that there was no evidence to support the claim of service connection for the cause of death, specifically due to a lack of exposure to radiation and insufficient medical records.