Prostate cancer decisions — 2016

The Veteran's prostate cancer has been rated at 60% since December 21, 2015. The Board finds that the reduction from 100% to 20% in October 2010 was proper and that a higher rating is warranted for the period of June 1, 2011, to May 5, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and depressive disorder, finding that both conditions are related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is denied as not being causally or etiologically related to his active military service, including as secondary to in-service herbicide, asbestos, and chemical exposure.

The Board found that the discontinuance of the 100% evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer, effective June 1, 2009, was proper. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were rated as 10 percent disabling following this reduction.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2, renal failure, and heart disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicides while in service.,Service connection is established for the following conditions: Prostate Cancer (due to Agent Orange exposure), Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (due to Agent Orange exposure), Renal Failure (due to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus), and Heart Disorder (due to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, right wrist fracture, and erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to participate in a regular substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of prostate cancer and found new evidence relating to a secondary relationship between prostatitis and prostate cancer. The Veteran is now entitled to an evidentiary hearing or further development as appropriate.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer, status-post radical prostatectomy was denied by the RO. The Board found that additional medical records and an addendum opinion were needed to determine if chronic fatigue is related to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated examination and treatment records, as well as a VA examination for his prostate cancer residuals. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 6, 2009. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted with an initial rating of 10 percent, also effective September 6, 2009. Service connection for prostate cancer is granted and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective December 1, 2013. The reduction from 40 to 20 percent was proper as the evidence showed improvement in his prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's death was caused by prostate cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service at Korat RTAFB. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.