Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is at least 70% and he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been caused by his herbicide agent exposure in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and heart condition were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found no competent evidence or opinion suggesting a medical relationship between these disabilities and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, was granted. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to February 1, 2013 and from February 1, 2013 until November 2, 2015, and a TDIU claim since January 1, 2016 were also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, systemic arthritis, bipolar disorder, leprosy, and diverticulitis. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed due to his failure to provide requested information needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer evaluation from 100% to noncompensable was proper, and granted a 20% evaluation for his residuals beginning January 11, 2017. The Veteran does not meet criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was found to have recurred as of February 26, 2016. The Board has granted a 100% rating for the period from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer is causally related to his service-connected prostate cancer, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his service, updated authorization for release of private medical records, and VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be associated with his service in the Republic of Vietnam due to exposure to herbicide agents, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart disease and prostate cancer were not found to be related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The appeals for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and background. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to TDIU are not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, foot disability (jungle rot), PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for prostate cancer prior to March 1, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand is presumed. The Board also found that there was a likelihood of exposure to commercial pesticides including herbicides.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated at 40 percent since October 3, 2013. The disability is characterized by urinary frequency with daytime voiding intervals between one and two hours, necessitating the use of absorbent materials that need to be changed more than four times per day.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and trigeminal neuralgia as these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer have been denied as new and material evidence was not received with respect to the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is deemed non-qualifying due to his service in the United States Merchant Marines after 1945.