Prostate cancer decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to new evidence submitted. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred during active military service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of prostate cancer is not related to his service or in-service exposure to cadmium, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's prostate cancer and his active duty service.

The Veteran's skin condition involving the left side of his face is currently rated at 80 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under the Diagnostic Codes for scars. The effective date remains March 16, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active duty service or any other form of exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling compensation examinations to reassess the severity of his prostate cancer residuals and PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of April 27, 2007 for both service connection for prostate cancer and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, bilateral tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of creative organ, and bilateral hearing loss with effective dates of November 30, 2006.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide in the Veteran's service records. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; lung cancer; prostate cancer; and hypertension were all denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claim, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral cataracts, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was not found to have been exposed to herbicides or other conditions that would trigger presumptive service connection.

The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing and is remanding the case for further action due to the Veteran's absence from his previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue associated with prostate cancer has not improved over the past nine years, and his disability rating for this condition is being restored to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of actual exposure to Agent Orange.,VA has also found that the Veteran did not have Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicides are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and thus could not grant service connection for prostate cancer or hypertension on a presumptive basis. The claims were also denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims. Specifically, verification of herbicide exposure while serving in Frankfurt, Germany and obtaining relevant SSA records are required.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange or ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for prostate cancer, including as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran did not have confirmed service in Vietnam and there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides during service.