Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer residuals were denied. The claim for erectile dysfunction was also denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of penile deformity. For prostate cancer residuals prior to October 28, 2014, the Veteran is granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's proctitis with diarrhea associated with prostate cancer status post-radiation therapy is rated at 30 percent from May 1, 2014 to December 8, 2015. From December 9, 2015, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding prostate cancer status post-radiation therapy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for erectile dysfunction and a residual surgical scar. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded, as well as his claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals are found to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to urinary incontinence, which requires frequent bathroom breaks. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board found that the reduction of the 100 percent disability rating to 40 percent for prostate cancer effective August 1, 2014 was proper and denied restoration of a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether prostate cancer was related to service, including exposure to toxins. The Veteran's representative requested a medical opinion on this question.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied as the new evidence received does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness for pre-existing disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence confirming the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the addition of relevant military personnel records and a need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during the Veteran's time as a security police officer at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant SSA records, arrange for a new VA examination on knee disabilities, and provide an opinion on prostate cancer.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a back disorder, vision impairment, and initial compensable evaluation for a scar on the anterior side of the trunk associated with prostate cancer. The appeal regarding whether a rating reduction for prostate cancer was proper is also dismissed. The appeal regarding an increased evaluation for headaches, residuals of TBI, and TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for prostate cancer as no new and material evidence was received to relate the condition to service.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted, and an initial 10 percent rating with a temporary 100 percent rating from April 19, 2016, to May 31, 2016; and a 10 percent rating thereafter for left foot bunion status post bunionectomy is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving on board the U.S.S. TAPPAHANNOCK in Nha Trang Harbor, Republic of Vietnam.

The reduction of the rating for residuals of prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent was proper, as evidenced by improvement in the Veteran's condition. The current 60 percent rating is appropriate given his current symptoms and lack of recurrence or metastasis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder arthritis and prostate cancer due to insufficient medical opinions and potential verification of Vietnam exposure.