Prostate cancer decisions — 2011

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the residuals of radiation treatment for prostate cancer, specifically including sacral necrosis. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate assistance in developing evidence and failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons and bases.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, which was listed as cardiorespiratory arrest due to or as a consequence of acute leukemia, did not result from his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board concluded that there is no evidence showing that the service-connected condition caused or contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for prostate cancer and a left knee disorder. The prostate cancer claim will be considered under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.311 due to inaccurate radiation exposure information, while the left knee disorder claim requires additional examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's widow is seeking service connection for various conditions, including cardiovascular disability, cold injury to the feet, diabetes mellitus, and others. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to prostate cancer, which the Board found not caused by service or radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that the prostate cancer was aggravated by any pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, are rated at 60 percent effective May 3, 2010. The RO granted a higher initial rating for the full pendency period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange, is being remanded for further development of his military service records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are denied as there is no legal basis to grant such requests.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and prostate cancer, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The case is REMANDED for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer were not incurred in service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, prostate cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer were all denied as there is no credible evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal stricture, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, all secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim for esophageal stricture due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed prostate cancer and throat disorder.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as incurred in service, with resolution of doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from April 19, 2010 to August 15, 2010 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated as 20 percent since June 1, 2009.

The Veteran's prostate disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran died in October 2006 from multiple causes, and the appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's prostate cancer contributed substantially or materially to his death.