Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated as 40 percent disabling since November 5, 2015. Prior to that date, the disability did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is presumed to have begun years after his active military service. Service connection for prostate cancer is denied.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is presumed to have begun years after his active military service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, secondary to prostate cancer surgery are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer, psychiatric disorder (as secondary to prostatitis), increased ratings for various spine and hip conditions, and TDIU has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and GBS were not incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has requested an expert medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The VHA expert provided a negative nexus opinion regarding exposures at Camp Lejeune but could not comment on exposures at Camp Pendleton due to lack of available information.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's post-service prostate cancer and any injury or disease in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer have been granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found the Veteran had reason to visit Vietnam during his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and left elbow. The Veteran's claims for headaches, vertigo, gastrointestinal disorder, left elbow disorder, and right and left knee disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his assertion of having set foot in Vietnam during service. As a result, the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange due to service in Vietnam could not be applied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms included flashbacks, anger, irritability, impaired impulse control, and occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas resulting in severe social and occupational impairment. Prior to September 15, 2015, a rating of 70 percent was granted for PTSD.,Prior to December 4, 2012, the Veteran's prostate cancer symptoms included occasional urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials which did not need to be changed two to four times per day. From December 4, 2012, to August 31, 2015, a rating of 40 percent was granted for voiding dysfunction.,Prior to August 31, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders, high cholesterol, benign prostatic hypertrophy, gout, neurobehavioral effects, sickle cell anemia, stomach ulcers, and prostate cancer. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was found to have been caused or permanently aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, both due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange, is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer has improved and is in remission. The RO reduced his rating from 100% to 60% effective September 1, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer do not warrant a disability rating higher than 40 percent, and granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for prostate cancer.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty at Korat RTAFB. The presumption of service connection applies as the Veteran's disability manifests to a degree of at least 10 percent following such exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals of prostate cancer and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for entitlement to service connection on November 7, 1996 or at any time until 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.