Prostate cancer decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are not related to his active service, including any herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current disability was incurred in or caused by his military service. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of hearing impairment during active duty, and any increase in hearing loss after service is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service on Johnston Island, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and atrial fibrillation with mild aortic valve stenosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service is presumed. The heart disability is related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder strain and DJD, postoperative prostate cancer, residuals of appendix surgery with scars, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and impact on his ability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to service, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and prostate cancer are related to his service at Camp Lejeune, and thus granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's service in Thailand and to obtain his complete service personnel records. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board also found no basis for granting these claims as there is insufficient evidence linking any current conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer, lymph node cancer, and prostate cancer were not service-connected due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. The Veteran did not have a confirmed period of service in Vietnam or along the DMZ in Korea during the qualifying period for herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer, but denied both claims as there is no evidence that the Veteran's cancers are related to his in-service exposure to radiation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, prostate cancer, and a disability characterized by generalized body pain to include gout. The TDIU claim is also addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a review of his service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease was denied, and his TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability (severe psychotic depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his military service, and thus denied the claim. The remaining claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, and right leg disorder are remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer were not found to be related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents.