Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination to evaluate the severity of his prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board also determined that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and AL amyloidosis due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Regarding erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer, the opinions from Dr. C.J. are contradictory.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 29, 2013, for the grant of SMC at the housebound rate was denied as there is no evidence that he is permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals prior to March 2, 2011 were productive of nocturia two to four times per night. From March 2, 2011 until September 25, 2017, the residuals were productive of nocturia of greater than five times per night. Beginning September 26, 2017, the residuals were productive of changing absorbent materials four to five times per day.,An evaluation in excess of 20 percent for prostate cancer prior to March 2, 2011 is denied. From March 2, 2011 until September 25, 2017, an evaluation in excess of 40 percent is denied. Beginning September 26, 2017, an evaluation in excess of 60 percent is denied.,Prostate cancer residuals were productive of urinary frequency with a daytime voiding interval between two and three hours or awakening to void three to four times per night from March 2, 2011 until September 25, 2017. Beginning September 26, 2017, the residuals were productive of changing absorbent materials four to five times per day.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus II, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied both claims for earlier effective dates, finding no legal basis to assign an earlier date due to the lack of a formal or informal claim prior to March 21, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease, finding no credible evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened but not granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and correctly adjudicate the claims on appeal, including obtaining National Guard service records, VA treatment records from October 2015 onward, and private medical treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his terminal squamous cell carcinoma was not caused by or related to his active duty service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer resulted in urinary incontinence and the use of absorbent material from August 1, 2012 to November 10, 2015. However, the evidence does not demonstrate that the absorbent material had to be changed more than four times a day.,From November 11, 2015 to the Veteran's death, the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer resulted in urinary incontinence and the use of an appliance; however, there is no indication of renal dysfunction.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his active military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and bilateral eye condition to obtain additional medical opinions, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records. The claims will be further evaluated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at a 20 percent rating since the date of his service-connection claim, and this rating is maintained as there is no evidence showing more than two to three awakenings per night for urination.

The case is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the current level of severity of the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, as well as its impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The RO will also consider the effects of the Veteran's prostate cancer on his employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity secondary to his service-connected low back disability was granted. The issue of increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and has been granted service connection for prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not caused by exposure to ionizing radiation during service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his active duty.