Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including contacting the U.S. Army Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) and obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or any other service-connected condition that could be linked to the development of prostate cancer.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate cancer, finding that his exposure to herbicides during active service in Thailand is conceded and he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment since May 13, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for unspecified STD, a UTI, and residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand during his service. The nerve disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and other conditions.,The Veteran's IHD is rated at 100% effective from the date of the June 2016 VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange and thus no presumption of service connection applies. The Veteran's current diagnosis of prostate cancer is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer have been granted as they are presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling since April 12, 2011. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease, both presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that the reduction of a 100% rating to 20% for the residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction prior to February 16, 2017, was proper. However, an increased 40% rating is granted for the residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction from February 16, 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including erectile dysfunction and periodic loss of sphincter control, are rated at a 20 percent rating.,Service connection for loss of sphincter control as secondary to the service-connected disability of residuals of prostate cancer is granted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is related to his active service in Korea. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are denied as they are not linked to his service or exposure to herbicides/chemicals. Prostate cancer was diagnosed after separation from service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer status post prostatectomy, as due to herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange), may be presumed to have been incurred in wartime service. The claims for loss of bladder control and skin disability of the groin are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, sleep apnea (secondary to GERD and PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and TDIU are denied. The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle condition do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by prostate cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. Therefore, the Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death is due to a service-connected disability and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100 to 60 percent was improper and restored the original 100% rating.

The Veteran's appeal was granted with a 20 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer, which is the highest non-compensable rating available under VA guidelines.