Prostate cancer decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and his other conditions are not considered to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, both of which are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The earliest date of claim is September 13, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine whether the veteran's prostate cancer was incurred during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for HHD was denied, and his claim for a T/R due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The RO found that the veteran's HHD is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for a T/R but does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of skin cancer or prostate cancer, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Both issues were denied as there is no evidence of a currently diagnosed disability related to in-service exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, including a bulbar urethral stricture requiring a urethrotomy, warrant a 10 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer with bladder incontinence and impotence, attributing it to exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service. The Board found that there was no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's current condition and his exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 23, 2004 for the grant of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer is denied.

The veteran's prostate cancer residuals were initially rated noncompensable, but a 40 percent rating was granted effective January 12, 2005. The current evaluation of 40 percent is maintained.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he should be granted a higher disability rating for urinary incontinence as a residual of prostate cancer, currently rated at 20 percent.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and elbow disabilities were denied. However, he was granted service connection for PTSD with a 10 percent initial rating retroactively effective from January 21, 2004, and prostate cancer with a 100 percent rating retroactively effective from April 12, 2005 to May 31, 2005.

The veteran is seeking service connection for prostate and colon cancer, which are radiogenic diseases. The VA has requested additional evidence to determine if the cancers were caused by in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for asbestosis and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine were granted, but his reduction from a 100% to a 10% disability rating for prostate cancer was upheld. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of the appropriate regulations applicable to claims filed on or after October 1, 1997.

The veteran seeks service connection for bladder and prostate cancers, both claimed as caused by exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and a private physician, Dr. Kileen.

The veteran's claims for prostate cancer, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a causal connection to service or exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service. The prostate cancer claim requires further development due to a lack of medical nexus.