Prostate cancer decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and bronchiectasis as secondary to nicotine dependence acquired during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for prostate cancer, finding that no earlier claim was submitted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, and the RO has not considered his claims of exposure to mustard gas, asbestos, or ionizing radiation. The case is being remanded to address these issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent for the service-connected prostate cancer with bilateral pelvic node dissection, effective from July 1, 2004. The veteran's claim for restoration of a 100 percent rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, with no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding the compensable evaluation for service-connected erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with respect to an August 2001 rating decision denying service connection for heart disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, metastatic prostate cancer, may be related to his service-connected prostatitis. However, due to insufficient medical evidence in the record, a remand is required for further review by an appropriate VA medical specialist.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer warrant a 10 percent evaluation prior to April 13, 2004 and a 40 percent evaluation from that date forward. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicides and pesticides in Thailand, including Agent Orange. The veteran is requested to provide additional information and evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's residuals of prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on voiding dysfunction, and thus denied both his claims for restoration of a 100 percent rating and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.