Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service, including his exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and its residuals are granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. The abdominal abnormality is not shown to have continued beyond the six months after cessation of any surgical or therapeutic procedure.

The Veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer residuals and assigned a noncompensable rating prior to February 10, 2016. As of February 10, 2016, he was granted an initial compensable disability rating.,For erectile dysfunction, the Veteran was granted an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer rating from 100% to 20% effective January 1, 2012 was proper based on the evidence showing improvement in his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and lung cancer, finding that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The claim for prostate cancer was reopened but still denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development regarding his exposure to radioactive substances during service. The case is now back before the Board for further review.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as related to exposure to toxic chemicals during service. The claim for lung cancer remains pending due to the denial of service connection, but there may be CUE in the November 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post-brachytherapy, was rated at 60 percent from March 1, 2011, to June 28, 2012. From June 29, 2012, the rating was reduced to 40 percent due to improvement in symptoms.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence of full-body exposure to mustard gas or asbestos, and noting that medical literature did not support a link between these exposures and prostate cancer. The Veteran's prostate cancer is considered a direct result of his active duty service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service treatment records and providing an addendum VA medical opinion to address the conflicting evidence regarding TCE exposure.

The Veteran's chondrosarcoma and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his prostate cancer residuals, which is rated at 60 percent under the criteria for voiding dysfunction (urinary leakage), has been denied by the Board as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction that would warrant a separate rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, status post radical retropubic prostatectomy, were manifested by voiding dysfunction requiring the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed at least four times per day. The criteria for a higher rating based on this disability have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Korea, leading to presumptive service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease. Erectile dysfunction is also presumed due to the same exposure.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected prostate cancer, and thus grants service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are addressed in this remand.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer. The issues of service connection for both prostate cancer and lymph node cancer are being considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying active duty periods and reviewing unit records to determine if the Veteran was exposed to hazardous chemicals. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.