Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensatory rating for erectile dysfunction, increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals, and earlier effective date for the 20 percent disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The claim for type 2 diabetes mellitus was also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's parathyroid adenoma and hyperparathyroidism, as well as his prostate cancer, are at least as likely as not due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating, effective September 12, 2011. His prostate cancer residuals were granted a 60 percent rating from September 12, 2011 to October 20, 2014, and a 40 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his voiding dysfunction does not require the use of absorbent materials more than 4 times per day.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction was rated at 40 percent since March 1, 2014. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating due to voiding dysfunction requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The appeal regarding total disability based on individual unemployability was also dismissed due to the Veteran abandoning his claim.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on the lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The evidence did not support a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents or direct causation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer is granted from April 24, 2014 to April 13, 2016. From April 14, 2016, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for voiding dysfunction (previously rated as prostate cancer) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hyperlipidemia, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure during his active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The rating for residuals of prostate cancer remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcer disease and prostate cancer, both claimed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service exposure or a link between his conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, and depression claimed as due to pes planus and erectile dysfunction are all pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service noise exposure sufficient to establish a nexus with current disabilities. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder did not meet criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus was granted. The issues of service connection for thyroid disorder, cervical myofascial pain syndrome, defective vision, and bilateral shoulder disorders were also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his combined impact of service-connected disabilities and resulting occupational impairment.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lumbar radiculopathy (right leg pain), and prostate cancer. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to service.