Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, removal of cancer on the penis, urostomy (claimed as colostomy and stomach condition), and bronchitis. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are service-connected for accrued benefits purposes, and his death was due to a service-connected cause. The appellant is therefore eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) benefits.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents, and he had qualifying service in Vietnam during the Vietnam Era.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date earlier than January 22, 2009 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer associated with herbicide exposure. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection when the presumption based on Agent Orange exposure went into effect in 1996.

The Board found that the Veteran's schwannoma of the left posterior chest wall, degenerative lung disease, and prostate cancer were not caused by VA treatment or negligence. The claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, finding that the Veteran's current lumbar spine osteoarthritis and sensory neuropathy of the hypoglossal branch of the left side of his tongue are related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also granted for a dental condition with nerve damage to the tongue. The Board found that this condition is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service dental surgery.

The Veteran's claim for a powered mobility device, such as a powered wheelchair or scooter, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to his service in Vietnam. Service connection for a right knee disorder and an irregular heartbeat are denied, but the Veteran has been granted service connection for prostate cancer with a noncompensable evaluation, erectile dysfunction with a noncompensable evaluation, and hemorrhoids with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by prostate cancer, which is a 'radiogenic' disease. The claim will be remanded to obtain a dose estimate from the VA Under Secretary for Health and then seek a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service exposure to ionizing radiation likely contributed to his prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and prostate cancer are granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for optic neuropathy with loss of vision of the left eye has been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is remanded due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied all claims for effective dates prior to May 3, 2007 as the Veteran did not file a claim for these benefits before that date.

The Veteran's death was not prior to the negotiation of a check from VA, and no money owed by VA to the Veteran at the time of his death has been unpaid. Therefore, accrued benefits are not owed to the appellant.

The Veteran's elevated prostate specific antigen levels are not considered a disability and are denied service connection. The Board finds no evidence linking the hypertension to service or Agent Orange exposure, but acknowledges that it is treated following service. Hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an earlier effective date for anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. His claim for a higher evaluation for anxiety disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic small cell undifferentiated cancer, which is presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected as it did not originate during his military service and there is no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction did not arise in service or due to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides during service, nor is there any credible link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further proceedings. The RO must request information from the JSRRC regarding any alleged herbicide exposure and obtain any additional evidence pertinent to the claim.