Prostate cancer decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed on the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and depression, including obtaining VA records since June 2008.

The Veteran died from renal failure due to or as a consequence of bladder cancer. The Board is seeking clarification on the nature and role of his prostate cancer in causing death, including whether it metastasized from the bladder.

The Veteran's request to restore a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer, with urinary incontinence, from February 1, 2009, was denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating of 60% is appropriate given the current manifestations.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as a residual of prostate cancer, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or any period of ACDUTRA exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by active military service, and there is no presumption of service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated during service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The appellant's claim for prostate cancer is being reviewed, but his claim for chloracne reopening remains pending.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 10% was proper, and denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for prostate and bladder cancer, finding that there was no current diagnosis of prostate cancer and noting that exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange is presumed. The claim for bladder cancer will be remanded.

The Veteran's death was due to congestive heart failure, with other significant conditions contributing to his death. The appellant seeks a plot or interment allowance for the burial of his father in a private cemetery. The appeal is remanded to obtain necessary documentation and review the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his prostate cancer to service or any event thereof.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer and hernia, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown to be related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and his hernia is not considered a radiogenic disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, which could potentially grant service connection for prostate cancer. The right big toe disability claim will also be remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for alcoholism and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of his alcoholism, as well as new arguments raised by the Veteran's representative. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's alcoholism is secondary to his service-connected depression or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of prostate cancer since August 1, 2007 is denied. The reduction from 100% to 40% was proper as there was no local recurrence or metastasis and the VA examination fulfilled the requirements under DC 7528.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions of coronary artery disease, hypertension, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea and high cholesterol. The Veteran's claim for bilateral varicose veins is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and his colon cancer is not related to his service or a service-connected condition. The claims are denied.