Prostate cancer decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, GERD, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and prostate cancer, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible rating of 100 percent, and his postoperative prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent. The shell fragment wound residuals of the left thigh remain noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sterility, prostate cancer, a cervical spine disability, a left hip disability, and a left ankle disability. The claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied. Additionally, the RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen claims for service connection for kidney stones and a low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hemangiomas of the liver and granted a higher rating (60%) for prostate cancer, effective October 30, 2003. The claim for anal sphincter control impairment was remanded.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial disability evaluation for his prostate cancer and related urinary incontinence. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and an examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his urinary incontinence.

The veteran died of metastatic malignant melanoma, which was not service-connected. His prostate cancer, for which he received a VA rating, did not contribute to his death.

The veteran's prostate cancer residuals were initially rated at 10% and later increased to 20%. The RO also granted SMC for loss of a creative organ. The case was remanded multiple times, but the initial evaluation remains at 20%.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, as there is no evidence of any residual conditions from the radical prostatectomy.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and further review is required.

The Board finds that the veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The VA examiner concluded there was no residual from the hepatitis suffered in service, but did not consider all relevant medical evidence. Therefore, a new examination is needed to determine if the veteran has any current hepatitis and whether it is linked to his in-service episode of hepatitis.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence to support the appellant's claim that the veteran died from prostate cancer or that his death was related to service. The cause of death listed on the death certificate was cardiopulmonary arrest due to myocardial infarction, which does not appear to be linked to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer is proximately due to his service-connected prostatitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between any of the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for residuals of prostate cancer from July 11, 2001. The veteran's impotence is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's disability evaluation was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective September 1, 2003. As of this date, the appellant is no longer eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a request for DD Form 1141 and a dose estimate based on the veteran's participation in Operation CROSSROADS.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer, secondary to radiation exposure. However, the claim for colon cancer was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, low back disability, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The claim to reopen his bilateral eye disorder was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and lung cancer, both linked to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information from USASCRUR.