Prostate cancer decisions — 2012

The Veteran's prostate cancer is found to be service-connected as secondary to presumed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no competent evidence of a link between the current disability and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, finding no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been granted service connection, but the RO has not assigned any higher initial evaluations as of October 1, 2007. The evidence does not support a finding that either condition warrants an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer disability. The rating for the service-connected residuals of prostate cancer was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and heart murmur were not found to be related to his military service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Board found that VA did not fail to timely diagnose prostate cancer due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not the result of an event not reasonably foreseeable and was not caused by VA's failure to timely diagnose prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a statement of the case for increased evaluations.

The Veteran died from respiratory failure, pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis and prostate cancer. These conditions are not shown to be causally related to his service. The record does not include any evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected due to exposure to noise during his active duty. The claim for a TDIU rating is granted based on the combined disability ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current prostate disorder, including prostate cancer, was not incurred as a result of genitourinary problems experienced in service. The Board noted that there is no evidence indicating that the Veteran experienced symptoms related to prostatitis or BPH for more than 40 years after service and that his clinical evaluation of the prostate during active duty showed normal results.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a pending claim or informal claim prior to August 2006, and the earliest possible effective date has been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right hearing loss and tinnitus. He also claims hypertension and diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran seeks service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy as secondary to prostate cancer. He also seeks a higher rating for prostate cancer, including urinary incontinence and the need for absorbent materials.,Service connection is granted for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's prostate cancer warrants a 40 percent disability rating since September 1, 2008.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for PTSD. He also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam or Thailand. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to exposure to herbicides during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and left shoulder disability, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thyroid disorder, and prostate cancer were denied. The claim for diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate cancer is etiologically linked to his confirmed in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and grants service connection for this condition.