Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for postoperative residuals of prostate cancer is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 60 percent since November 22, 2011. The reduction from 100 percent to 40 percent was proper as the disability had improved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his prostate cancer, which is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam. The cause of death is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether any service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostate cancer and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes are presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to Agent Orange during his service aboard the U.S.S. Davis, which operated temporarily in Vietnam inland waterways.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with urinary incontinence was reduced from a 100% rating to a 60% rating effective January 15, 2010. The reduction was based on improvement observed during the examination and subsequent medical records.

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to noncompensable effective December 1, 2008 was in accordance with VA regulations and procedures. The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer warrant a compensable rating of 10%.

The Veteran seeks compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for prostate cancer and service connection for erectile dysfunction, claimed as secondary to prostate cancer. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether additional disability resulted from carelessness or negligence on the part of VA caregivers.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim or entitlement to service connection before October 10, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both claimed as the result of herbicide exposure, to allow for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals, prostate cancer, are manifested by continual urine leakage requiring the wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times per day since December 1, 2007. The disability is rated at a 60 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a chronic skin disorder of his feet, recurring cysts, or a right hip disorder at any time between his filing of a claim for service connection and his death. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer of the abdominal wall is being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA will obtain records regarding possible radiation exposure during service and determine if there is a link between such exposure and his cancers.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 15, 2007, for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was denied as his informal claim was received on that date.

The Veteran claims service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, which he asserts are secondary to his service-connected BPH/prostatitis. The case is being remanded for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of prostate cancer and bladder cancer for the purpose of accrued benefits, as well as the claim for cause of death. The Appellant must provide additional evidence or authorize VA to obtain relevant records, including medical records from Duke University Medical Center.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and atrial fibrillation, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the conditions and service. The opinions from VA and VHA specialists supported this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was not received within one year of his discharge from service, and the earliest effective date is March 31, 2010.

The Veteran does not have post-operative residuals of an esophageal stricture, loss of teeth, or residuals of prostate cancer as a result of his service. The Board finds that the evidence is against entitlement to service connection for any of the claimed disabilities on a direct basis.