Prostate cancer decisions — 2011

The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private medical nexus opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 10 percent since April 1, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating to 20 percent has been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent or 40 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be incurred in his active service. The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, but further development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions.

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

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer remains pending as the Veteran has not been diagnosed with this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, ischemic heart disease, was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides. The reduction in the disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent was upheld as appropriate given the circumstances.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated based on voiding dysfunction with staged ratings. The reduction in rating was proper as the prostate cancer was found to be in remission following a radical prostatectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to various chemicals during his military service and now suffers from prostate cancer and multiple myeloma, which are likely due to this exposure. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that while he was exposed to ionizing radiation during military service, his current condition is not related to this exposure and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his ability to work, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate disorder, including prostate cancer and prostatitis, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, prostate cancer, and right knee disability. The rating claim for osteoarthritis and right lumbar area myofasciitis was also denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma, base of the tongue and prostate cancer are related to exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The claims will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure to insecticides during his military service.