Prostate cancer decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and the propriety of reducing his rating from 100% to 30%. Additionally, he is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by prostate cancer, which is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam. The appellant submitted her claim for DIC benefits after the one-year period following the Veteran's death and requested an earlier effective date. The Board has determined that additional information from the SSA regarding the appellant's claim for SSA benefits needs to be obtained.

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate cancer had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims was caused by his service-connected prostatitis and possibly herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that the claim should be remanded to provide proper notice regarding secondary service connection and obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to Agent Orange were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer remain unchanged, and TDIU remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his prostate cancer residuals. The TDIU claim will also be developed.

The Court has restored the Veteran's 100 percent disability rating for prostate cancer effective June 1, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his August 18, 2005 sigmoidoscopy and did not involve proximate cause through VA carelessness, negligence, or error. Therefore, DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not set foot in Vietnam and therefore could not have been exposed to herbicides there. The cause of death was attributed to metastatic pancreatic cancer, but the evidence does not establish a link between any service-connected condition and the Veteran's death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information about radiation levels at Eta Jima in 1953 and preparing a dose estimate based on available methodologies.

The reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100 percent to 40 percent was implemented based on VA and private medical records, which showed that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (metastatic prostate cancer) was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated during his military service, nor did it find any evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected disabilities. The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against granting service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are not characterized by a daytime voiding interval of less than one hour, or awakening to void five or more times per night, urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization, or a requirement to wear absorbent materials which must be changed 4 or more times per day. No renal dysfunction was shown.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals during service in Korea and his prostate and renal cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left hand arthritis, bilateral wrist arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis and bilateral hip arthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran may be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in Korea and whether his MOS while in Korea included duties in which he was required to spray pesticides. The claims for higher initial rating for mood disorder, service connection for prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction are also remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer and bilateral cataracts are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims were denied.