Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was received on June 21, 2011. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the earliest application for service connection was filed on that date.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for a back disorder, heart disorder, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in his active military service due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Korea, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer with residual incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not support a causal link to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for diabetes mellitus type 2, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is granted. Service connection for prostate cancer, related to toxic chemical exposure during service at Fort Ord, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer (Agent Orange exposure) due to deficiencies in the January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's service records show noise exposure as an engineer equipment repairman, working at the Carpenter Test Area, and shooting guns on the range.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer with residual scar, status post radical prostatectomy is dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer status post prostatectomy, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The Veteran is also entitled to a temporary total evaluation following his prostate surgery.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides, jet fuel, ionizing radiation, or asbestos during service. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a direct link between these conditions and service.,The decision concluded by stating that the Veteran's prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma were not related to any environmental exposures in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer (due to exposure at Camp Lejeune), and a bladder disability (secondary to prostate cancer or due to exposure at Camp Lejeune). The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations and obtain private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure at Korat RTAFB and Takhli RTAFB. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s claims for herbicide exposure and obtain his complete service personnel records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, PTSD, and GERD need further review due to missing records and additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted effective March 17, 2014. The Board found that there was no evidence of an increase in disability prior to the date of the claim.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, accompanied by a penile deformity, has been granted a 20% disability rating effective January 3, 2014. The claim for an initial compensable rating prior to that date is denied.,The Veteran’s neck scar from a modified neck dissection with submandibular gland excision is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of characteristics of disfigurement. The appeal regarding the effective date for prostate cancer service connection is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 1, 2012 for his service-connected prostate cancer is being remanded as it involves a Nehmer class member and potential retroactive application of liberalizing laws.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as it may be presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in Thailand during his active duty.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and prostate cancer were granted service connection. The Veteran had pre-existing coronary artery disease that was aggravated by his active duty, while the prostate cancer manifested within one year of separation.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted as it meets the criteria of being a disease associated with herbicide exposure. Service connection for insomnia is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to burn pits at Fort Drum.,An effective date earlier than September 22, 2014 is denied as an original claim for service connection was filed on that date.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer based on exposure to tactical herbicide agents. Service connection for a gastric condition is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated groundwater during service.