Prostate cancer decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that the veteran's current hearing disability is related to his military service. The claims for prostate cancer, lung cancer, and a compensable rating for right shoulder tendinitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for postoperative prostate cancer and found that his entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) was properly terminated.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, as well as his request to reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus. The RO is instructed to attempt alternative searches for the veteran's service medical records and provide an opinion from a specialist in oncology regarding the primary site of the veteran's cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death to establish entitlement to burial benefits.

The Board is unclear about the reasons for the previous denials and whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. The veteran's prostate disorder may be related to his service, but further examination and development are needed.

The RO granted a 40 percent rating for prostate cancer and a noncompensable rating for erectile dysfunction, effective October 15, 1998. The veteran's claim for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure, increased evaluations for duodenal ulcer with transthoracic vagotomy and ventral hernia, incisional, post operative, and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a change in the law and the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's loss of erectile power, secondary to prostate cancer, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board denied restoration of a 100% disability evaluation for prostate cancer and denied entitlement to higher evaluation, finding that the evidence did not warrant such ratings.

The veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, refractive error, muscle cramps of the feet and chest pains, difficulty falling asleep, history of prostate cancer, duodenal ulcer, and dizziness/vertigo (claimed as vestibular neuritis) were all denied. The service connection was granted only for left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including impotence and excoriated skin overlying the scrotum and penis, are rated at 60 percent. The initial compensable rating for impotence is granted, while the excoriated skin condition does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's prostate condition, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's prostate cancer rating from 100% to 40% was proper. The PTSD claim is granted, with a 50% disability rating assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for skin cancer and prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions. The claim for PTSD was also denied as the preponderance of the evidence showed that the veteran did not have PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence regarding radiation exposure and dose assessment. The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and colon cancer are pending.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer, status post irradiation. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to re-open the claim for service connection for the residuals of a left eye injury was also remanded.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Fletcher Allen Health Care from April 8 to 11, 1998 is denied as the prostate cancer was not a service-connected disability at that time.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% due to substantial social and occupational impairment. The prostate cancer rating has been reduced from 100% to 20%, but the veteran appeals for restoration of the 100% rating. The voiding dysfunction issue remains in appellate status.