Prostate cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left ring finger scar was granted. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinion, requiring further examination and review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 0%. The Board found that the reduction was based on a less complete examination than the one used for continued payments, and thus restored the 100% rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and residuals of prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction have all been granted service connection effective June 4, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer are manifested by urinary leakage requiring the use of absorbent materials with changes at least two times per day, but less than five times per day. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are not shown to have caused urine leakage requiring the use of an appliance or absorbent materials, urinary frequency, or obstructed voiding. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not shown to have caused a penile deformity.,Criteria for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have not been met.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown to be related to his active duty service and is not presumed to have been incurred in service, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction are related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.,Service connection is granted for prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as a result of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was first diagnosed in May 2009, and the Board has determined that entitlement to service connection for this condition arose on April 12, 2009. The effective date of service connection is therefore set as April 12, 2009.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and a VA medical opinion. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the prostate cancer claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. The claims include requests for increased ratings and restoration of a higher rating for prostate cancer, as well as TDIU due to these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown to have had onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not establish exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board by live videoconference. The RO should schedule this hearing.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction due to prostate cancer was rated at 40 percent effective July 11, 2011 and is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's SMC benefits were properly discontinued as he did not meet the statutory threshold percentage requirements for SMC and was not permanently housebound due to a service-connected disability or disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. His prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent, with urinary frequency being the predominant issue.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because it was not filed within the required two-year period after he received notification of his service connection for erectile dysfunction in November 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for malignant melanoma and scars due to surgical removal of malignant melanomas. Service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for temporary total evaluations due to hospitalization in excess of 21 days and treatment requiring convalescence, as there was no evidence of such events related to service-connected disabilities.