Prostate cancer decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's prostate cancer residuals, manifested by nocturia 2-3 times per night, warranted a 20 percent rating. The reduction from 100 to 20 percent was proper and effective as of June 1, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and restoration of a 100 percent evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the evidence did not support these claims. The RO reduced the disability rating from 100% to 20%, effective January 1, 2004.

The RO reduced the evaluation of the veteran's service-connected prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent disabling effective October 1, 2005. The reduction was proper and restoration of a 100 percent evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran, who is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, met the criteria for accrued benefits based on a claim pending at the time of his death. Service connection was granted for prostate cancer and denied for left eye blindness, osteoporosis, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and breathing problems.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his penis is not deformed and he can still produce an erection but for a short period of time.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from November 10, 2005 to November 18, 2005 were denied as the VA determined that he was stable for transfer to a VA facility by November 9, 2005.

The veteran's death was caused by prostate cancer, which was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and shell fragment wound residuals. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause death.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for post-operative radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective July 1, 2005, was proper based on sustained improvement in the veteran's condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not have emphysema, left lower extremity varicose veins, or prostate cancer in service and could not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and Graves' disease/hyperthyroidism, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board is considering multiple claims for service connection, including prostate cancer and various other disabilities. The veteran's petition to reopen his claim for left hand/wrist scar has been granted due to the submission of new evidence. However, no new or material evidence was submitted to support reopening the claims for hearing loss, hypertension, eye disability, sexual dysfunction, left foot disability, skin disability, residuals of partial right nephrectomy, and prostate cancer.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and an increased rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange in Korea, and there is no evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was withdrawn prior to a decision.,The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since May 19, 2008. The rating is based on symptoms such as depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, hypervigilance, irritability, outbursts of anger, panic attacks, disturbances of mood and motivation, difficulty establishing effective social relationships, and suicidal thoughts.,The veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 20%. His condition manifests with occasional urinary incontinence.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding no evidence of its occurrence during active military service and insufficient evidence linking it to any inservice exposure.,Service connection was also denied for residuals of cold injury to the lower extremities. The veteran did not have a current disability and there is no evidence that he incurred such injuries during service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam. The case has been remanded due to the need for further research into whether the veteran's flight logs indicate any layovers in Vietnam.

The veteran's service connection for prostate cancer was granted in May 2004, but he did not receive additional benefits for his spouse until September 1, 2005. He now seeks retroactive pay back to the date of his initial service-connected disability rating.

The veteran's prostate cancer is being reviewed due to his exposure to radiation during service, and the case has been remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.