Prostate cancer decisions — 2016

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 80 percent, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a higher 60 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer since March 1, 2010. The evidence shows that he requires changing absorbent materials more than four times per day due to urinary dysfunction.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.,Service connection for COPD (claimed as asbestosis) and respiratory/bronchus cancer is pending. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence of current diagnoses or a link between his claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids was granted, with a current noncompensable rating being changed to a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of colon cancer and prostate cancer, including as due to asbestos exposure. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at an appropriate VA facility in Florida. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Prostate Cancer, and Hypothyroidism. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to address the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression is granted. His claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy remains denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 10 percent for the period from September 27, 2007, to April 28, 2008, for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Board found that the diagnosis of prostate cancer was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, leading to a proper severance of service connection for cognitive residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides during his active military service in Thailand, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post external beam radiation, with erectile dysfunction, has been rated at 40 percent since December 23, 2014. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA social and industrial survey to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, hypertension, cataracts, heart disorder, and hypothyroidism, all claimed as due to exposure to herbicides in service.