Prostate cancer decisions — 2014

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not require absorbent materials or result in daytime voiding between every one to two hours or awakening to void three to four times per night.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder or hypercholesterolemia for which service connection can be granted. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's skin condition and his military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of melanoma are not related to his conceded herbicide exposure in service, and denied his claim for service connection. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his prostate cancer.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims was due to exposure to herbicides during his military service. The case has been remanded for further development regarding the claimed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2007.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 40 percent from February 6, 2012 through June 25, 2012 and at 60 percent since June 26, 2012. The appeal is granted for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and clarify his claims. The issues are whether he should receive an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals and if erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and related incontinence residuals have effectively resulted in loss of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected prostate cancer residuals and radiation proctitis.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for parathyroid cancer and prostate cancer, both alleged to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service, are being remanded for further development including obtaining a new dose assessment based on the Veteran's location during atmospheric testing.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post radiation therapy, is rated at 60 percent disabling due to urinary frequency and incontinence requiring absorbent materials more than four times a day. His lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for the period from July 1, 2010 to March 16, 2011 based on his prostate cancer. He is also granted TDIU for the period since March 17, 2011 due to PTSD and physical residuals of an in-service shooting. SMC is restored for the entire period from July 1, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear condition, left knee condition, and prostate cancer. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a direct relationship to service.