Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Board found that the reduction from a 100% to a 20% rating for prostate cancer was proper, and granted an increased disability rating of 40% for residuals of prostate cancer effective October 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of colon cancer and prostate cancer, attributing the cancers to known risk factors such as obesity, age, and family history rather than exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, and thus could not grant service connection for the Veteran's claimed prostate cancer or ischemic heart disease under presumptive provisions. The claim was denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding herbicide exposure and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has restored a 60 percent disability rating for prostate cancer residuals from March 11, 2017, finding that the Veteran's voiding dysfunction requires an appliance or absorbent material changed more than 4 times per day.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, right wrist condition, bilateral arm condition, and bilateral leg condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation has been reopened and granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer residuals, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's chronic daily use of antiepileptic medications for his service-connected grand mal epilepsy aided or lent assistance in causing death, specifically prostate cancer. The Board finds that this meets the criteria for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are not service connected, as there is no evidence showing a connection to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the conditions being presumed due to herbicide exposure during his active duty. The claims for diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, and prostate cancer remain pending.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as due to such exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer with urinary incontinence due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for hearing loss, right ear, is not addressed as it was previously denied and the Veteran did not perfect an appeal of this issue.

The Veteran's lower jaw disability and prostate cancer residuals are granted, with a rating of 20 percent for the latter. The Veteran is also entitled to service connection for his lower jaw disability.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 20 percent since May 1, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms do not more nearly approximate those required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7528.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for prostate cancer and found that new evidence supports reopening the claim. The Veteran's current diagnosis of prostate cancer is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran is found unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, which prevents him from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service herbicide exposure.