Prostate cancer decisions — 2016

The Board found no evidence of Agent Orange exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to such exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as a result of exposure to diesel fuel in service, and the Board affords the benefit of doubt to his claim.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated at 60 percent since June 14, 2007. The rating is based on the use of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times per day due to urinary leakage.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 30 percent since March 11, 2016. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 9, 2010 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was denied as his most recent request to reopen the claim was received after the disability arose.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer have not been manifested by urinary leakage or incontinence requiring absorbent materials that must be changed two to four times per day, urinary frequency with a daytime voiding interval less than one hour or awakening to void five or more times per night, obstructed voiding, urinary tract infections, or renal dysfunction. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, as he served on a ship that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam. His diabetes mellitus type II is also presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for a special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostatectomy residuals as a result of prostate cancer was denied, but the Board referred it to the Court. The Court remanded the issue back to the Board with instructions to consider extraschedular consideration.,SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) beginning July 2, 2013 was granted based on the Veteran's single service-connected disability (prostatectomy residuals rated at 60%) and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and is unrelated to his active military service. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as further development is needed to consider the combined functional effects of all service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The RO denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his service-connected conditions, including prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the current severity of his service-connected prostate cancer and its impact on his daily functions and employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its intertwinement with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, all secondary to chemical exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bowel incontinence disability was granted, with the effective date being determined by the AOJ. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, back condition, and prostate cancer, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2010, to June 21, 2010, and since July 1, 2016. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met during these periods.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims are presumed based on his military service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and epidermal cysts (claimed as lumps upper and lower back) due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was denied service connection, as it is not related to active duty and there is no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were also denied.