Prostate cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, bone cancer, lung cancer, erectile dysfunction and mental stress.

The Board finds that the reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100% to 40% was proper and that discontinuance of SMC at housebound rate was also proper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. However, because he is eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101(a) in acquiring specially adapted housing, he cannot also receive a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his active service, including any exposure to chemicals or herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or a service-connected disability, for which service connection has already been established.,Prostate cancer was not incurred in or as a result of service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Glaucoma is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and prostate cancer residuals, do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is denied. The earliest possible effective date assigned was March 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of being housebound prior to January 29, 2009 is granted. The claim for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for further consideration by VA in light of updated criteria and procedures regarding herbicide exposure in Da Nang Harbor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of one or both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board has granted entitlement to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings at any time during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be related to his exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors. The Veteran's dysautonomia is rated at the minimum level due to his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, resulted in a combined 80% disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer, but granted service connection for residuals of prostate cancer with a rating of 40 percent effective October 26, 2007. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating prior to February 2, 2012, for residuals of prostate cancer remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent from November 9, 2012 onward. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, but his service in Vietnam has not been verified. The case is being remanded for further investigation and possible verification of the Veteran's claimed service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux disorder/GERD and remanded the issue of an effective date prior to May 9, 2011 for the award of service connection for prostate cancer.