Prostate cancer decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the prostate cancer claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma, finding no evidence of radiation exposure during service and thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that further investigation is needed regarding the veteran's participation in the 'Trinity Project' and any other radiation risk activities during his military service, to determine if he was exposed to ionizing radiation. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed prostate cancer is not related to military service, including as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions, as they are not related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, abdominal pain, and prostate cancer. The claim for service connection for a lung disorder is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the October 1970 decision. Service connection for these conditions is not warranted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions to clarify the status of his prostate cancer, assess the severity of his PTSD, and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of a prostatectomy to include urinary frequency, finding that the evidence does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to November 4, 2004 and a rating in excess of 60 percent since November 4, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for prostate cancer with residual erectile dysfunction and incontinence, including a separate evaluation for erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his exposure to ionizing radiation in service and his current conditions.

The veteran's disability rating for service-connected prostate cancer has been reduced from 100 percent to 40 percent effective June 1, 2005. The case is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA genitourinary examination.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of prostate cancer and a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as undetermined, with prostate cancer being a significant condition. The Board found no evidence linking the prostate cancer to service and denied service connection for the cause of death. The appellant is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her husband's type of service. There is no legal entitlement to accrued benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Postal Service regarding his disability benefits, and readjudicating his claims for service connection for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several claims, including those for service connection for various conditions. The issues of whether the veteran's right leg disability, back disability, hypertension, bilateral elbow, knee, ankle disabilities are still pending.

The Board found that the cause of death was metastatic pancreatic cancer, which is not service-connected. The veteran's prostate cancer did not contribute to his death and there is no evidence linking the pancreas cancer to service or Agent Orange exposure. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is denied, as well as eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left renal cell carcinoma, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides and insufficient medical evidence linking the prostate cancer to active service.