Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for additional action regarding the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer evaluation from 100 percent to 60 percent, effective February 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals, coronary artery disease (CAD), and left hand gunshot wound, preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a lack of recent medical examination. The case will be readjudicated after any additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been denied. His claims for a higher evaluation for his heart disability and TDIU are pending.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's urinary leakage does not qualify for a clothing allowance as he does not use a prosthetic device or require medication that causes damage to his clothing. The claim is denied.

Service connection is granted for headaches and tinnitus.,Prostate cancer service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and thus denied service connection for all issues.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, including urinary leakage requiring absorbent materials changed up to four times per day, meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating since May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted as there is no renal dysfunction or other conditions that would allow for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated during service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The Board found insufficient evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, particularly given the Veteran's MOS as a Clerk Typist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his unit records and determine if he was exposed to herbicides during service. If exposure is confirmed, further development will be required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and a total rating based on individual unemployability is being considered in a separate decision. The Veteran requested a video hearing, but it has not been scheduled yet.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer did not have its onset during military service and is not otherwise related to such service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic prostate cancer and metastatic renal cancer were related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board also found it more likely than not that diabetes contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records and a dose estimate regarding potential radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran is granted service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, but his claims for colon cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and blood cancer (polycythemia) are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, needs further examination as the current VA examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent.

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 of a prior claim or entitlement to benefits before April 28, 2010.