Prostate cancer decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, chronic sinusitis, plantar warts, and a low back disability. The appeals are dismissed as there is no evidence of in-service or postservice chronic conditions.

The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was attributed to prostate cancer. The appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need to obtain additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and lung cancer, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The claimant did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam, so he could not be presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange (AO) herbicide. As a result, the VA denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied both his claim for service connection for cause of death and his DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, elevated PSA readings, and skin growths have been denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for prostate cancer is fixed at April 17, 2000.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not related to any service-connected disability or incident of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was caused by his service-connected exposure to chemicals in the course of his duties as a waste management specialist. The Board found sufficient evidence linking the veteran's COPD to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and prostate cancer, both asserted to be secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's prostate cancer, which was diagnosed after a radical cystoprostatectomy, has been granted service connection. However, further development of the evidence is needed to determine if there has been any recurrence or metastasis of the cancer.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the severity of his prostate cancer and whether he should be granted a 100 percent rating. The RO must also ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA).

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure, were all denied by the RO.

The VA denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to prostate cancer with metastasis, finding that there was no evidence linking the radiation exposure during service to the veteran's condition.

The veteran's hepatitis and postoperative residuals of prostate cancer are not service-connected. The issue of periodontal disease for treatment purposes is unclear.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for prostate cancer, which was initially granted as 100 percent disabling effective July 31, 2001 and then reduced to 10 percent effective May 1, 2002, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The appellant is seeking service connection for lung cancer and prostate cancer, which he claims are related to exposure to carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene during his military service. The VA has ordered additional development of the claim, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and an opinion on whether the prostate cancer is related to in-service exposure.

The veteran's claim for a noncompensable evaluation of his service-connected prostate cancer from August 1, 2001 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claim, including providing notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.