Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for chest disability and prostate cancer as a result of in-service herbicide exposure are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, prostate cancer as secondary to herbicide-agent exposure, and PTSD have been granted. The restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD effective February 1, 2016 is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection was also denied for hypertension as the evidence did not establish its onset during active service.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cancer of the right eye and prostate cancer, as these conditions are alleged to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's duties were primarily as an intelligence specialist, but he also flew over Vietnam on C-130 planes that sometimes had to land in Vietnam when MiGs were fired at them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low blood cell count, respiratory disorder, swelling of the extremities, back disorder, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, bladder disorder, IBS (bowel disorder), dental disorder, and schizophrenia have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure in Vietnam, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and no medical opinion linking his prostate cancer to herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed appeals regarding earlier effective dates for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, denied service connection for prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to herbicide exposure, and granted the reopening of a claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since April 1, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have prostate cancer, but he has been diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The issues of entitlement to service connection for chloracne and skin cancers are remanded due to a need for medical opinions regarding herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The appellant provided new information about the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during his service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 10, 2015 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a respiratory disability to include COPD are remanded due to lack of adequate development.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, but remanded the claim for Type 2 diabetes mellitus as there is no current diagnosis in the record.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction were denied or remanded due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings. The Board found that the current conditions did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease alone renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and he is also eligible for special monthly compensation based on housebound status due to multiple service-connected disabilities. However, he does not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance benefits.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 20%, effective October 1, 2015. The reduction is considered proper as the condition has been in remission since then.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and prostate cancer due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his herbicide exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent rating, effective from September 1, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials changed two times per day most nearly approximated the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 19, 2006 for a 60 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer including voiding dysfunction is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran predominantly manifested as voiding dysfunction requiring absorbent material changing six to eight times per day beginning on this date.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure at U-Tapao RTNA, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.