Prostate cancer decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the evaluation of an existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ. The evidence did not support an earlier effective date than January 7, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer is granted as it is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need to consider whether it is secondary to his service-connected skin cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and residuals of prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Veteran's death was due to pharyngeal cancer, which he developed after VA failed to timely diagnose and treat his prostate cancer. The case is being remanded for further investigation of the timing and appropriateness of the medical care provided.

The Veteran's prostate disorder and bilateral gynecomastia were evaluated under the applicable rating criteria. The Veteran was not granted higher ratings for his disabilities, as the evidence did not meet the schedular requirements or demonstrate that extraschedular consideration was warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (prostate cancer) was not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a finding that prostate cancer is a radiogenic disease or that it resulted from in-service radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, adjustment disorder, or diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. The reduction of the prostate cancer rating was upheld.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prostate cancer, and rectal bleeding were not present in service or within one year of separation. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment history.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected BPH/prostatitis.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of record showing a current prostate disability related to service, and thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service exposure to toxic chemicals. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and associated bladder and bowel impairment are not deemed to be caused by VA treatment, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and laryngeal cancer, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, including prostate cancer which he had been granted service connection for due to Agent Orange exposure. Bladder cancer, the cause of his death, is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records.

The Veteran's treatment for dental issues in June 2010 and December 2010 was deemed necessary due to a medical emergency, specifically a dental abscess. As the treatment occurred during an emergent situation related to his service-connected prostate cancer, the Board found that reimbursement is granted under VA regulations.