Prostate cancer decisions — 2013

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for TMJ and left knee degenerative joint disease, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is not supported by evidence of current disability.

The Board found that the appellant was not exposed to herbicides while serving aboard a ship in Vietnam, and thus could not establish service connection for chloracne or prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.,The Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities that would qualify him for these benefits.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for status post prostate cancer prior to November 8, 2008 is granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for the period from November 8, 2008 forward is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, are presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer is granted. Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for hypertensive nephropathy secondary to hypertension is also granted. The Veteran's microscopic hematuria will be reevaluated.

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate cancer, which was diagnosed in November 2005, is related to his period of active service. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to incomplete or unclear evidence, including a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's effective date for the award of dependent compensation for his wife is granted as April 2, 2009. This decision was based on a service-connected condition evaluated at a disability rating of 30 percent or more.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder, including prostate cancer, is being remanded due to the need for an examination by a urologist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing at the VA office in San Antonio, Texas. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to ionizing radiation exposure, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not service-connected due to lack of presumed or actual exposure to herbicide agents, including dioxins, during his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, nor were his underlying conditions (prostate cancer and renal carcinoma) found to be related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that prostate cancer did not contribute substantially and materially to his death from metastatic melanoma.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has prostate cancer, which is necessary for severance of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in Thailand and therefore grants service connection for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma, which are associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer were not present in service or until many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence of a causal connection between the claimed disabilities and military service or any incident therein, to include any exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides. The AOJ will verify the Veteran's alleged exposure in Korea and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is a radiogenic disease and was manifested within the period specified by regulation. The RO confirmed the Veteran's participation in Operation TEAPOT, which involved radiation exposure during service. As such, the claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to radiation exposure is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right thigh and hip disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from splenic rupture. The VA medical expert opinion concluded that neither condition caused or contributed substantially to the fall resulting in the splenic rupture.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer should be December 19, 2008, as this is the earliest date on which a claim was received. The Veteran's earlier symptoms and diagnosis do not change this determination.