Prostate cancer decisions — 2004

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his multiple myeloma was not caused by or related to any event in service or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of prostate cancer effective July 15, 2003. The veteran previously had a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents.

The veteran's prostate cancer was not shown to be incurred in service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claim for PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice, procedural defects in the reduction of his prostate disability evaluation, and the need to secure additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service, and a need for additional information on his duties as an aircraft maintenance worker.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer effective September 10, 2003. The veteran's PTSD remains at 70 percent since May 23, 2001. The earlier effective date for TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for nicotine dependence and secondary service connection for emphysema. The veteran's prostate cancer claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed Vietnam exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for PTSD and temporary total disability ratings due to hospitalizations in 1997, were all denied. The veteran's claim for an eye disorder was not reopened.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the specific residuals of his voiding dysfunction due to prostate cancer.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis, actinic keratosis, ulcers, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and prostate cancer, all claimed to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The appeal was dismissed as there is no indication of such exposure.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for prostate cancer residuals with impotency is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including examinations and a review of the claims file to determine if service connection can be established for his claimed cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and prostate cancer.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 7, 1996, for service connection of prostate cancer was denied as the grant of service connection was based on Vietnam-era service and the presumption added to the list of presumptive diseases in section 3.309(e) effective November 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was due to metastatic prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, seizure disorder, epilepsy and peripheral vascular disease, which may be reasonably attributed to his exposure to ionizing radiation in service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's death was due to metastatic prostate cancer, and he did not meet the criteria for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as his service-connected disability (PTSD) did not result in a total rating for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The veteran's death was caused by a combination of prostate cancer and myocardial infarction, with the former being service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange.,The appellant is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims was caused by radiation exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the claim.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his residuals of prostate cancer with status post radical retropubic prostatectomy is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.