Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, including urinary incontinence and dysuria, were rated at a 40 percent disability rating prior to November 13, 2013. The symptoms have remained consistent throughout the initial rating period.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability (presumed to be atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmia), and hypertension were denied as service connection could not be established due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure during service. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure did not apply.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary incontinence damages and ruins his clothing, causing him to need additional protection. The Board granted a clothing allowance based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer disability prevents him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute coronary syndrome, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer disability prevents him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, heart disability, hypertension, and skin condition based on new evidence. However, due to lack of credible exposure to herbicides during service, these conditions cannot be linked to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by progressive debility and decline (disease associated viruses) with contributory conditions of hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), prostate cancer, and hypothyroidism. The Board finds that the service-connected diseases substantially contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is found to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and Thailand, including his alleged involvement with parts retrieval missions and a murder incident.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been manifested by mild stress incontinence, weak urinary stream, and urinary frequency with daytime voiding every three to four hours and nocturia twice a night. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his prostate cancer residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions (prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy) contributed to his cause of death from colon cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims due to missing VA treatment records and requests for additional private medical evidence. The appellant's spouse is asked to provide any relevant lay statements.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, PTSD and prostate cancer are all granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.