Prostate cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he was exposed to toxic chemicals during his service at Fort McClellan, Alabama in 1963, and whether his prostate cancer is related to such exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and its residuals are presumed to be the result of exposure to herbicides in service, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residual of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are currently rated at the maximum available evaluations. The Board finds no basis for higher ratings.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated as 40 percent disabling since August 30, 2013. The evidence does not support a higher rating at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy from 100 percent to 60 percent was proper, effective January 1, 2013. The discontinuance of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria was also granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed related to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service, specifically between February 1, 1966 and March 31, 1966. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient research into the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide more specific timeframes for his alleged exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current condition and exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's prostate cancer and his in-service participation in nuclear testing.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for prostate cancer residuals and PTSD was denied. The VA found that the current disability ratings adequately reflected the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification on an alleged stopover in Vietnam and further verification of herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The claim for chloracne remains pending as the evidence does not establish a connection with service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for prostate cancer, which he asserts was caused by exposure to various chemicals while working as an aircraft maintenance technician. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to the lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to his service in Vietnam, where Agent Orange was used. He has been granted a 100% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death, multi-system failure, was at least as likely as not due to or contributed to substantially or materially to the cause of death by diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease. These conditions are presumptive disorders resulting from Agent Orange exposure during service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, hypertension, COPD, and stroke are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and chloracne, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptoms after service separation, and no association between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of prostate cancer or bladder cancer during service, and the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.