Prostate cancer decisions — 2016

The Veteran's prostate cancer and cold injury residuals were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition has been reopened, and he is now receiving the maximum rating available based on his prostate cancer residuals. The initial ratings for his shoulder strain and healed fracture are also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of ionizing radiation exposure during service, and thus the Veteran's prostate cancer cannot be linked to such exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection due to ionizing radiation exposure is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer, effective June 1, 2012, and whether the reductions to a 0 percent rating and a 40 percent rating were proper is being remanded due to additional evidence not having been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board finds that the reduction in the rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100 percent to 60 percent effective September 1, 2013 was proper based on improvement in the disability level and sustained improvement under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bladder disorder (voiding dysfunction), and residual scar from radical prostatectomy are all found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 16, 2010 for a TDIU rating is denied as the evidence does not show that his PTSD symptoms rendered him unemployable prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected prostate cancer residuals and any ongoing medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, prostate cancer, and hepatitis C, are found to be at least as likely as not preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating was 80% prior to August 1, 2012, the claim is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure and the disease did not develop during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further medical examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in the context of his employment, including their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding his exposure to herbicides and to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have resulted from his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during service, and therefore his diagnosed residuals of prostate cancer are presumed to be related to such exposure. Service connection for PTSD is granted based on a finding of in-service stressor.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being referred for further consideration due to the need to obtain his medical records and determine if he qualifies for service connection based on exposure to ionizing radiation. The case will be remanded to allow for this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his colon cancer was granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, post subcapsular cataracts, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary frequency, respiratory disorder (shortness of breath), and insomnia were also addressed and found to be supported by the evidence.