Prostate cancer Board decisions

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding the compensable evaluation for service-connected erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with respect to an August 2001 rating decision denying service connection for heart disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, metastatic prostate cancer, may be related to his service-connected prostatitis. However, due to insufficient medical evidence in the record, a remand is required for further review by an appropriate VA medical specialist.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer warrant a 10 percent evaluation prior to April 13, 2004 and a 40 percent evaluation from that date forward. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicides and pesticides in Thailand, including Agent Orange. The veteran is requested to provide additional information and evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's residuals of prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on voiding dysfunction, and thus denied both his claims for restoration of a 100 percent rating and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostate cancer is granted, with the effective date set at June 10, 1996.

The veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development of his personnel records and for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's service-connected hypertension and atherosclerotic vascular disease contributed to his death from prostate cancer.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increase in disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer, which was previously reduced to 0 percent and then increased back to 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a valid claim for service connection for prostate cancer pending at the time of his death, and thus denied accrued benefits. The cause of death was determined to be unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma as they were not shown to be related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, prostate cancer, and lumbar spine disability. The RO will further develop these claims before deciding them.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, effective July 8, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, recurrent kidney stones, and degenerative joint disease of the knees as these conditions were not shown to be related to service or any inservice disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides and insufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an effective date earlier than February 13, 2002 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer did not have their onset during active service or within one year following discharge, nor are they related to any in-service disease or injury. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active duty service, nor may it be presumed to be incurred in or aggravated by such service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's service-connected prostatitis and his current prostate cancer.