Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cause of death was non-small cell lung cancer, with a secondary cause of prostate cancer. The VA determined that neither condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, ischemic heart disease, and respiratory condition have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer because the preponderance of the evidence weighs against the claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and prostate cancer residuals are presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure, leading to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. Bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure from artillery fire. Tinnitus is also related to in-service noise exposure. Prostate cancer is presumed due to herbicide exposure while stationed on the USS Larson in 'brown water' Vietnam.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer, based on exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service, including his exposure to contaminants while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's end colostomy is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected prostate cancer, status post-retropubic prostatectomy. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for end colostomy is granted.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and prostate cancer are service connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's herbicide exposure in Korea and outside of the DMZ. The claim will be further developed before being readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer on the basis of herbicide exposure during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and its associated residuals are less likely than not caused by his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, bowel incontinence associated with prostate cancer is rated at 30 percent, and voiding dysfunction due to prostate cancer is rated at 20 percent. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected prostate cancer residuals.,The reduction from a 100% rating for prostate cancer residuals was not appropriate, and the Veteran's original 100% rating has been restored.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, which manifested during service and is presumed to have developed then, was the principal cause of his death. The Board finds that this condition is related to active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals, as well as supraumbilical hernia. The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure at Korat RTAFB. His supraumbilical hernia is proximately due to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board found that the reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100% to 40%, effective July 1, 2012, was proper based on improvement observed since April 6, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, which allows for presumptive service connection of diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the 100 percent rating for prostate cancer was proper, and a compensable rating (40%) is granted for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The claims for erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, and ischemic heart disease are remanded for further development.