Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or necessary adaptive equipment due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or hips.

The Veteran's prostate cancer condition was restored to a 100% disability rating from August 1, 2016 to February 21, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin rashes, congestive heart failure, hypertension, gout, arthritis, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The decision was based on the lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lower back pain, prostate cancer, skin disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as a nervous disorder).

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents during service or a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a genitourinary condition, including prostatitis, is granted. The claims for prostate cancer as secondary to the genitourinary condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded. The claim for erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, while diabetes mellitus remains remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for bladder cancer is also remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be related to his service at Camp Lejeune, specifically due to contaminated water. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is denied because there was no in-service exposure to herbicides and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand is at least as likely as not related to his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and heart disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the prostate cancer claim, and the heart disability claim was not granted due to lack of a causal relationship with service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The appeal remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for liver cancer, prostate cancer, and a mental health disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or exposure to herbicides.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is being remanded due to a lack of dose estimate and potential exposure to non-ionizing radiation. The burial benefits appeal is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to exposure to harmful chemicals during his service as a Roads and Grounds Specialist at the Portland Air Force Base. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's depression is caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and related issues.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for cause of death, including whether any or all causes of death listed on the Veteran's death certificate are related to his military service and/or his service-connected disabilities.