Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 20, 2016 has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer are rated at the maximum allowable rating, and his other disabilities do not render him unemployable. Therefore, he is denied an increased rating for his prostate cancer disability and TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional private treatment records dated prior to June 24, 2016. The claim will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) will be provided.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection. The prostate cancer is denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation, and there is no direct evidence or secondary service connection established.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 20%, effective May 1, 2011. The reduction is upheld as the evidence shows improvement in his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his cause of death (multiple myeloma) and underlying condition (prostate cancer) were not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to prostate cancer, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected sacroiliac strain and hemorrhoids did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran meets the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities, and after resolving reasonable doubt in his favor, he is found unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal prostate cancer, which caused his death in January 2007, is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to radiation during atmospheric nuclear testing in OPERATION BUSTER-JANGLE while serving in the U.S. Army.

The Board found that the reduction from 100% to 60% for prostate cancer residuals was proper and denied restoration of a 100% rating.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of prostate cancer, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim will be remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service, including potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to April 20, 2015, and a rating in excess of 60 percent, after April 20, 2015, for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was not certified for appeal but has been raised within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and right knee disability were not granted service connection or increased rating, respectively. The Board found no evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer. The claim has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as consideration of whether referral for extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA medical professional to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current prostate and metastatic bone cancer. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current prostate cancer residuals, as there may have been significant changes in his condition since the last examination.