Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides and the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was initially rated at 100% and later reduced to 20%. The Board has decided that a new examination is needed due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, skin cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to potential exposure to herbicide agents and/or toxins in Okinawa. Further action is needed to verify such exposure and a VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates were denied. The initial compensable rating for ED was not granted, the initial rating in excess of 20 percent for prostate cancer was not granted, and the effective dates for service connection and SMC were not advanced.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of performing his activities of daily living and require regular aid and assistance to protect him from hazards.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, but the VA Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent due to continual urine leakage requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and special monthly pension are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The prostate cancer claim was not granted as the residuals did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, erectile dysfunction was rated at 20% based on loss of erectile power without physical deformity, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma remained in remission and thus no compensable rating is warranted, and the effective date for the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation rating was denied as there was no increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and left-sided acoustic neuroma, finding that the conditions were not related to service or any exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent from January 1, 2013 to May 25, 2018, and at 40 percent thereafter. The reduction of the 100 percent rating for prostate cancer was proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of creative organ, as these claims were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous at the time of the November 2007 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate cancer, which caused his death, was incurred in service due to herbicide agent exposure on the USS Fletcher while it patrolled up the Mekong River. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, colon cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, and lung cancer due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned as the claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension has been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for prostate cancer from a 100 percent to a 60 percent rating, effective February 1, 2007, was proper based on the evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and thyroid cancer, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective January 17, 2012. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 17, 2012.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, Peyronie’s disease/erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence are not considered to be caused by or related to the VA treatment he received, including testosterone replacement therapy. As a result, compensation for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart condition, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service treatment records do not provide clear information on these conditions' origins.