Prostate cancer decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board granted his TDIU claim based on his service-connected disabilities, which rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied all claims on appeal, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of the service connection claims for PTSD, low back disability, right knee disability, fungal infection of the arms, tinnitus, or prostate cancer. The denial is based on the lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction disabilities, as well as whether a reduction in his evaluation for prostate cancer was proper. The Veteran will be provided with additional examinations and records are requested.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest, but the Appellant contends that his disabilities (including prostate cancer, coronary vascular disease, COPD, claudication, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiomegaly, BPH, and renal insufficiency) were related to service, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Board will determine if these disabilities are subject to the presumption of service connection due to herbicide exposure and whether they contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in unemployability from April 15, 2009 to July 31, 2011. As of July 1, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and prostate cancer, have resulted in unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a grade one anterolisthesis of the low back was denied. The claim for payment of an additional two months of temporary total disability compensation for service-connected prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, is also denied.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer were granted service connection and rated at 10 percent effective November 1, 2007. The RO also assigned a 100 percent rating for the period from July 19, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining information from his former employer and a retrospective medical opinion regarding his employment status during the relevant period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on the certificate was sepsis due to clostridium difficile colitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the conditions listed, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing as requested. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer and an increased evaluation for PTSD remain on appeal.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his exposure to herbicide agents in service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were not present during service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability, prostate cancer residuals, and bladder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and its potential connection to his diagnosed cancers.

The Board has remanded the case due to a recent Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims decision regarding the interpretation of VA's herbicide exposure presumption. The appellant seeks service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims is related to his military service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange.