Prostate cancer decisions — 2016

The Board has granted the appellant's request for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The appellant's tinnitus is rated at its maximum under the applicable schedular criteria, while his prostate cancer residuals are also fully contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a procedural issue regarding the reimbursement of CRDP withholdings from July to September 2014. The Board will provide an opportunity for the Veteran to file a Substantive Appeal and address this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted as it is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claims for higher evaluations of prostate cancer and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining medical records. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is being remanded due to the need for further verification of his claimed herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board will attempt to obtain additional information from the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) and other relevant sources.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development to verify his exposure to herbicides in Thailand and to obtain additional medical records, including those from his hospitalization in Thailand following a car accident. The claims will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's death was caused by his pre-existing conditions, not service-connected disabilities. The termination of the appellant's death pension benefits is proper due to her increased income.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 23, 2011 for service connection of prostate cancer and metastatic bone cancer are denied as they were not received until after the December 2007 rating decision denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and Paget's disease with osteophytosis.,All claims are now granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected prostate cancer residuals is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been granted a 40% evaluation effective January 30, 2014. The lumbar spine disability claim has been reopened.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after separation from active duty. The Board finds that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's colon cancer and prostate cancer, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both related to in-service herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pinguecula is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as a depressive disorder, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the right lower extremity is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the left lower extremity is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for the residuals of bronchopneumonia is on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for defective vision is on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. Epperson and the potential exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed in response to the July 14, 2014 statement of the case denying service connection for prostate cancer (claimed as prostate condition), gout, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II.