Prostate cancer decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and notice requirements consistent with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, or a skin condition due to in-service exposure. The claim for hemorrhoids was previously denied and no new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new dose estimates and addressing the veteran's ongoing treatment records. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death (lung cancer) was not related to service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer as of April 22, 2004.,He is also entitled to a 30 percent initial rating for depressive disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and determined that he was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at a rate of 100 percent (total rating) due to service-connected disability for a period of ten or more years immediately preceding his death. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 20% was proper, but denied service connection for headaches, a skin disorder, and an immune system disorder.

The veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 40 percent from January 19, 2001 to August 3, 2004 and at 60 percent since then. The veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his incontinence.

The veteran's prostate cancer and glaucoma and other eye disorders were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange or ultraviolet light from radar operations.

The Board found that the veteran's prostate cancer and lung disability are not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding whether the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his active duty training (ADT) and, if so, whether this exposure is related to his prostate cancer.

The veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board denied the claim of service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board found that the proper procedures for a rating reduction were followed and there is no evidence of any local recurrence, metastasis, or renal dysfunction related to this disorder. The veteran's current urinary frequency does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and functional loss issues.

The veteran's prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, is currently rated at 60 percent and the claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to his cause of death, which was cardiac arrest due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. The VA doctor concluded that PTSD did not play a role in causing or aggravating the cardiovascular problems.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and ensuring proper VCAA notice. The issues of service connection for the cause of death and Dependents' Educational Assistance are being considered together as they may be impacted by the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer and subsequent radical prostatectomy do not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating, thus denying restoration of such.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected disabilities that caused or contributed to the veteran's death. The cause of death was attributed to congestive heart failure, hypertension, and renal insufficiency.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding no evidence of a disease or injury in service and concluding that prostate cancer is not related to his military service.