Prostate cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and prostate cancer are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active military service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and employment records from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and former employer (USPS). A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment and to determine whether his hypertension is caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and Type II diabetes mellitus are presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicides during service at the Korat RTAFB in Thailand. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and there is no evidence of a relationship to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam, nor was he exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time along the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities he claims are the result of VA medical treatment, and he disputes that his disabilities were due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA providers.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no valid notices of disagreement filed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure during service in Thailand, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer residuals effective since December 17, 2008. The issues of extraschedular rating and TDIU were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after consideration of these records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after consideration of these records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), tinnitus, right leg neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, hemorrhoids, scleroderma, left eyebrow scar, and erectile dysfunction (ED) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service at Takhli RTAFB in Thailand, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after consideration of these records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of daytime voiding intervals between one to two hours or awakening to void three to four times per night, requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to herbicide exposure during service, and his erectile dysfunction and incontinence are secondary to his prostate cancer. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board finds that the reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 60%, effective May 1, 2008, was proper based on evidence showing improvement and no recurrence of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been granted a 60% rating from November 1, 2010 to June 17, 2014 and again from August 1, 2014. The Veteran is also granted TDIU due to his prostate cancer, heart, and right leg disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer. As a result, the Board dismisses these issues.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings for his sprain of the second digit of the left hand and tinnitus was withdrawn.,Service connection for prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.