Prostate cancer decisions — 2014

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were rated at 60 percent prior to August 23, 2007. The RO granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.,The Veteran was found eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, as of August 23, 2007.

The reduction of the evaluation for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 20 percent was proper, effective August 31, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his prostate cancer and urinary incontinence, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as his VA Form 9 was not filed within the required time frame.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and essential tremors (claimed as Parkinson's disease) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of Vietnam service and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including arranging for a VA examination and obtaining all outstanding records. The claim will be adjudicated in light of any new evidence.

The RO reduced the Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 10%, effective May 1, 2012. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are manifested by voiding dysfunction and increased urinary frequency.

The Veteran's thyroid cancer is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for prostate cancer remains pending as it involves exposure to ionizing radiation, but requires additional development of dose estimates.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer. However, the reduction of his cervical spine disability rating from 20% to 10% was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands and back, prostate cancer, a skin disorder, and a right ankle disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or exposure to hazardous substances.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, are all denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between in-service prostatitis and the development of prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and tinnitus. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is related to his prostate cancer, and the special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and another VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his prostate cancer. The issue of service connection for throat cancer will also be addressed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 20 percent prior to February 17, 2012 and at 40 percent as of that date. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether a higher rating is warranted for either period.

The reduction in the evaluation of service-connected prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent effective August 1, 2009, was proper.

The Veteran claims service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides during his military service. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and obtain any relevant medical records. A VA examination should be scheduled to determine if there is a relationship between in-service prostatitis and post-service prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.