Prostate cancer decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's prostate cancer is cured and no longer requires surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures. The residuals of the surgery do not result in urinary leakage requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than 4 times per day.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, kidney stones, carcinoma of the right kidney with a nephrectomy, and prostate cancer with a TURP, all claimed as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service exposures.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, are manifested by transient incontinence that is mild to minimal and does not require the wearing of absorbent materials. Therefore, a compensable evaluation from October 1, 1999 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases, including the need for additional development related to the veteran's exposure to radiation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected prostate cancer residuals, finding that none of the symptoms or clinical findings met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative prostate cancer, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during service and could not be presumed to have been caused by exposure to ionizing radiation in service. The evidence did not support a conclusion that the prostate cancer resulted from such exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death due to prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking the veteran's prostate cancer to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board concluded that the veteran did not have a service-connected disability and that his prostate cancer first manifested more than 40 years after he left active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's prostate cancer and his alleged exposure during service.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher rating of his postoperative residuals of a prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The RO has reduced the rating from 100 percent to 20 percent, and now wants to schedule a Board videoconference hearing.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of radical prostatectomy due to prostate cancer is denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's prostate cancer disability from 100% to 20% was procedurally proper and finds that a compensable evaluation (40%) for the residuals of prostate cancer is warranted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to prostate cancer, which was presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam War service. The decision stated that the appellant did not file a formal or informal claim prior to August 28, 1998.

The veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and special monthly compensation due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to November 7, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma, both claimed as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The evidence did not show any exposure to ionizing radiation during the veteran's service.

The veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and impotence have resulted in the loss of use of a creative organ, warranting special monthly compensation.

The Board granted an increased rating to 20 percent for pyelonephritis with history of urinary stones and urinary retention, effective as of September 4, 1992. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer was not addressed due to lack of a timely appeal.

The Board denied both claims for service connection and additional special monthly compensation, finding no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's prostate cancer and resulting bilateral orchiectomy and his period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to prostate cancer, which developed after service and was unrelated to any incident of service. The anxiety disorder did not contribute to his death.

The veteran's prostate cancer is granted as a result of exposure to an herbicide agent used in support of the United States and its allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam.