Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for prostate cancer have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The appeals for neck tumor and urinary cancer have been dismissed. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, kidney cystic disease, and anemia (secondary to kidney cystic disease) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and determine if there was metastasis of the prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have resulted from his in-service herbicide exposure, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of malaria or other infectious disease. The appellant reported that he was diagnosed with malaria in the late 1940s, but contemporaneous medical records indicate an acute upper respiratory infection and hookworm treatment.,There is no evidence of a current disability for prostate cancer or basal cell/squamous cell skin cancers during the pendency of this claim. The appellant reported exposure to ionizing radiation, but there is no documentation supporting such exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder derangement, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's right shoulder derangement was not caused by service as there were no complaints or findings of the condition during service. Prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II were also not linked to service because the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam.,The Board found that the Veteran's military duties, including his role as an electronic computer systems repairman, did not place him near the air base perimeter where Agent Orange exposure could have occurred.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death and accrued benefits due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as failure to meet eligibility criteria for nonservice-connected death pension.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, prostate cancer, throat cancer, asthma, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left knee scar have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection for prostate cancer is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the appeals to sever service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), and discontinuance of SMC for loss of use of a creative organ due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease are presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The claims for these conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer, which may be related to his exposure to jet fuel in active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer service connection is remanded due to the need to locate a previously submitted claim from February 2009.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied due to lack of evidence linking prostate cancer to military service. The appellant is not entitled to nonservice-connected death pension benefits prior to August 30, 2015 as her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR). The claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was denied because neither of the exceptions under VA regulations apply.

The Veteran's prostate cancer status-post prostatectomy is rated at the maximum 60 percent, and a TDIU is granted from May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction is granted due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, with the presumption of service connection.

The rating for prostate cancer was reduced from 100% to 40%, effective April 1, 2011. The discontinuance of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on schedular housebound requirements was also granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, and therefore service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure), and an eye condition are remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has hearing loss that meets VA criteria, and whether his prostate cancer may be related to his service-connected thyroid disability.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, but denied the claim as there is no evidence of exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam.