Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Board denied DIC benefits due to lack of service connection for cause of death and failure to establish a 10-year total disability rating prior to the Veteran's death. The Board also did not find CUE in its decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of claim.,For the period prior to November 18, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50%. For the period since November 18, 2014, his hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both of which are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link between these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and found that new evidence supports a finding of exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Thailand. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions, including erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and overactive bladder, are related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and the etiology of his skin cancers.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements, and there are no exceptional or unusual factors that would render application of the schedule impractical. The VA examinations and SSA evaluations indicate that the Veteran is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at the local RO. The issues of service connection and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence submitted after the October 2015 Board decision. The issue remains whether he should receive an earlier effective date for his prostate cancer rating and if there was a clear and unmistakable error in the April 2009 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for residuals of prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent, effective May 1, 2016, was proper as his prostate cancer is in remission.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 23, 2016. He also has other service-connected disabilities that meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and he meets the statutory requirements for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides, specifically near Phan Thiet in Vietnam. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for prostate cancer residuals, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, or an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance is denied. His claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to residuals of treatment for prostate cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is established as service-connected.,The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of atelectasis due to in-service pneumonia, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to herbicide exposure, has been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The appeal is currently pending and will be scheduled for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA hospitalization records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction as a timely Substantive Appeal was not received.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including back, hip, shoulder, knee, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney condition, bladder condition, hypertension, head injury from dizziness, headaches, and depression have been denied. The left hand scar is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred during service and cannot be presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found the Veteran's claims regarding his alleged trip to Vietnam were not credible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.