Prostate cancer decisions — 2014

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The RO's September 2003 denial was not based on CUE.

The Veteran's service-connected status post prostate cancer was reduced from a 100 percent rating to a 40 percent rating effective January 7, 2013. The appeal is denied as the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent are not met.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred as a result of his service, and the Board found insufficient evidence to support exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the directives of the September 2011 and April 2013 remands have not been substantially complied with, necessitating another remand for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and denied a compensable rating for prostate cancer. The case is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on the issue of a compensable rating for prostate cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer in January 2009. The evidence received since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea with intermittent insomnia first manifested during active service and continues to this day. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's cataracts are service-connected, but the issue of reopening his hypertension claim remains pending.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have not met the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent as of August 1, 2009.

The RO reduced the Veteran's evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent, effective October 1, 2012, based on improvement in his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient action taken in verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides during service, specifically in the Dominican Republic. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as there is no evidence of urinary incontinence or obstructed voiding.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including urinary frequency and nocturia, are currently rated at 40 percent under the rating criteria for voiding dysfunction. The effective date of this rating is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. His metastatic bone cancer and erectile dysfunction are found to be secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection is granted for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both of which were denied due to a lack of qualifying Vietnam service. The deck logs from April 1967 did not indicate in-country service, and the internet articles provided no additional information regarding the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have developed as a result of his herbicide exposure in service. The Board has granted the benefit sought on appeal for service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and skin condition are not related to his service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection is denied.