Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction due to diabetes mellitus type II and depression.

The Board found that the reduction in rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective August 1, 2014, was proper by operation of law under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7528.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus rating is increased to 20 percent, effective November 19, 2009. The Veteran's amputated left index finger and prostate cancer residuals are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for residuals of prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective November 1, 2014, was proper due to improvement in the Veteran's condition. The Veteran's disability has been rated based on voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, is granted based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam during his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer effective October 1, 2013. The appeal was also denied regarding an increased disability rating for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, prostate cancer with frequent urination, erectile dysfunction due to prostate cancer, and depression. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service conditions related to these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding potential exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during the Veteran's service in Korea. The VA is required to conduct further verification efforts within a reasonable timeframe.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and it may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Board finds that the nexus element of a direct service connection claim is not met.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as SSA records. The Veteran's COPD and prostate cancer service-connected conditions are at issue.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to ionizing radiation during service, which could potentially grant him service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at Takhli Air Base in Thailand.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 10 percent, effective September 1, 2016, was proper as there was no evidence of continued active malignancy or recurrence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are denied. The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the medical opinions did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, arthritis of the hips, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, a heart disorder, cold weather injuries, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and prostate cancer are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the current diagnosis is not related to service exposure at Camp Lejeune and concluding that other risk factors more likely caused the condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities, including back disorder, shoulder disorders, and prostate cancer. The examiner must assess the combined effects of these conditions on his employability.