Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for various issues related to his service-connected conditions, including a TDIU claim, was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals of Issues 1-6 on the title page. The Board granted a TDIU from November 1, 2011, to November 18, 2012.

The Veteran's unemployability is due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of prostate cancer prior to December 18, 2005 is denied as there was no evidence of renal dysfunction, voiding dysfunction, urinary frequency, obstructive voiding, or urinary tract infection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, as both conditions were not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to an herbicide agent in service and denied the Veteran's claims for genitourinary disability and prostate cancer as not related to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated in service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of prostate cancer.,VA examinations have been conducted to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, hypertension, colon cancer, and arthritis of multiple joints. Further examination is needed to provide an adequate medical opinion on these issues.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals included voiding dysfunction, urinary frequency, obstructed voiding, or urinary tract infection prior to June 25, 2012. As a result, an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not service connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty, and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or any other inservice occurrence. The claim for herbicide exposure also failed due to lack of credible evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there is no evidence that he submitted a formal or informal claim prior to July 30, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and hypertension, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his prostate cancer, which he claims is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of postoperative prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, including its residuals, had its onset during service and is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer are granted due to his exposure to herbicides during service at Ubon RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals from 100% to 10% was proper. From February 27, 2013, to March 1, 2016, a higher 60% disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer residuals have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is for higher evaluations of his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer and microscopic hematuria. The Board has determined that the criteria are not met for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 1, 2007 to February 19, 2008, or in excess of 40 percent from February 1, 2010 to December 12, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be adjudicated after these actions.