Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of his claims, including a hearing before a member of the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and temporary total disability ratings following surgeries were denied. The erectile dysfunction is noncompensable, the prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, and pudendal neuralgia is rated separately at 10 percent. Temporary total disability ratings based on convalescence following surgeries in February 2011, September 2011, and November 2012 were also denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred as a result of service, and his heart disorder is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence supports these presumptions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, which is presumed to be related to his military service due to herbicide exposure in Thailand, was the cause of his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found no credible evidence of the Veteran's service in Thailand or Vietnam, and thus denied claims for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer as not related to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were rated as 20 percent disabling from May 3, 2017. The VA found that the Veteran's symptoms of nighttime awakening to void three to four times per night met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 60 percent since January 5, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were consistent with the current disability ratings for urinary leakage and voiding dysfunction. For TDIU, the evidence showed no indication of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The conditions are presumed based on the Veteran's service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran withdrew his claims, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, post-prostatectomy with urinary incontinence, has rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 11, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle arthritis.,The Veteran's shin splints were not service connected, as they are considered a manifestation of his service-connected disabilities of the knees, ankles, and feet.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer result in nighttime urinary frequency of as much as 4 to 8 times per night, with subjective complaints of occasional urinary leakage. The current rating of 40 percent is appropriate for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 100 percent since July 6, 2009. The Board granted a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities and found that he is entitled to TDIU due to the severity of his prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not caused by his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and did not manifest within one year of separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer were rated at 10 percent for the period from December 19, 2005 to May 15, 2012. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not shown to be related to service, including alleged Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish in-service occurrence and direct service connection is not warranted.

The Board has found no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current bladder, colon, and prostate cancers and his active duty service.,Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred during service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service, and there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.