Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of urinary incontinence but no renal dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent, effective July 1, 2014. The rating was reduced from 100 percent to 40 percent due to the absence of active malignancy.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer, heart disorder, and peripheral artery disease are not related to his service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer did not begin during or after his service and is not related to any in-service condition, including a testicular cyst. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, which he contends was caused by exposure to an herbicide agent while serving in Korea, is being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his claimed exposure.

The Veteran died in August 2013 due to prostate cancer with metastases. The Board found no pending claim at the time of death and denied accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards and radiation during service, as well as verification of his claims. The claim will be reviewed after these developments are completed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his prostate cancer residuals, which were rated at 100% from December 8, 2010 to April 1, 2014 and then reduced to 20%, was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus the Veteran's claims for congestive heart failure, prostate cancer, and gallbladder removal are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are associated with voiding dysfunction requiring changing of absorbent pads five times daily, warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma. The evidence suggests that it may be related to hepatitis B.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for prostate cancer prior to June 24, 2016 is being remanded due to the need to obtain his private treatment records and provide an opinion regarding when his prostate cancer recurred or became active.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred during his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction were first filed on October 20, 2011. The Board has determined that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the claim was received within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher (compensable) rating due to worsening of his hearing impairment over the appeal period. For PTSD, service connection was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. Service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there were no verified instances of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for service-connected prostate cancer is denied as there is no evidence of active or malignant prostate cancer prior to April 7, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and determining the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder and prostate cancer was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's gastritis is rated at 10 percent, and his prostate cancer claim for service connection has been denied.