Prostate cancer decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are more likely related to presbycusis rather than noise exposure in service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type 2, as secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appeal is being remanded due to the need to verify his assertions of in-country service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam as part of his duties during service, including a temporary duty assignment, is credible. Therefore, exposure to herbicides is conceded and service connection for prostate cancer due to such exposure is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction have been restored to a 100% disability rating.,The issue of an increased rating for the residuals of prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy is moot as the Veteran is currently receiving a 100% rating.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that these conditions are related to his military service.,For the remaining issues, including hypertension and GERD, additional medical records need to be obtained and an addendum opinion from the September 2012 VA examiner is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more contemporaneous and complete examination by a vocational specialist to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board finds that March 23, 2006 is the correct effective date for the award of service connection for prostate cancer because there is no evidence showing an earlier claim. The Veteran's psychiatric disability and asthma claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not manifested by penile deformity, and therefore does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent rating effective January 1, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating and additional development is needed to determine if an even higher rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a suitably qualified environmental toxicologist regarding potential exposure to herbicides during service on the USS Hornet. The Veteran's prostate cancer is being considered as potentially related to such exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have prostate cancer during service or within one year after separation from service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, low back disability, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of depression or head rash at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, TB fibers of the left testicle and prostate, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and lung disease. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other environmental toxins.

The Board found that the reduction of the 100 percent rating for prostate cancer residuals to a 60 percent rating was proper, but only effective from March 1, 2013. The Veteran's disability picture is adequately covered by the assigned schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, on an extraschedular basis, was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show such exceptional disability that the available schedular evaluation is inadequate.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is in remission and rated at 10 percent for its residuals, including erectile dysfunction. Service connection was denied for the other cancers listed.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unemployable as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.