Prostate cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension was withdrawn, and the reduction in rating from 100 percent to 40 percent for prostate cancer was granted.,Prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 40 percent since September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. His bladder condition is proximately due to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD primarily manifested by depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks (weekly or less often), and chronic sleep impairment; it did not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been the result of herbicide exposure during his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran served near the perimeters of the Royal Thai Air Force base at Nakh Phanom in Thailand and is therefore presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board will review the claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 based on all available evidence, including new medical records from the Danville VA Medical Center.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple basal cell carcinomas of the right anterior neck, left lower mid-back and left upper chest as related to ionizing radiation exposure during service. Service connection for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The cause of death was mesothelioma, which the appellant claims may be related to his prior prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of disability rating from 100 percent to 60 percent for service-connected prostate cancer was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss rated at 40% was also dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Evidence submitted since the May 2006 denial of service connection for a skin disorder is new and material, reopening this claim. The issue remains pending for further review by the RO/AMC.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be caused by VA care, and the Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have cancer of the immune system, residuals of prostate cancer, or renal insufficiency at any time since filing his claim for compensation. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange and a VA examination for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent based on voiding dysfunction, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of his exposure in Da Nang harbor and a new policy guidance regarding offshore locations such as Da Nang harbor with regard to the presumption of herbicide exposure. A VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of his hearing loss disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of tinea versicolor, chloracne, and prostate cancer. However, it did not grant any new rating as the diabetes mellitus continues to warrant a 20% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a local regional office hearing and to address the service connection issues related to diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicides.