Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals with erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent, which is currently assigned.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to verify the Veteran's service in Korea and his exposure to Agent Orange, as well as obtaining any outstanding service treatment records. The appellant must provide details regarding her exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus and Prostate Cancer are granted as they are considered presumptively service connected due to herbicide exposure in the inland waterways of Vietnam.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, thyroid disability, and mental confusion. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are not related to service, including as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. Therefore, his claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was diagnosed after service, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED to obtain complete treatment records for the Veteran's prostate cancer and subsequent residuals, including private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer as due to herbicide exposure are denied because he was not exposed to such agents during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer as due to herbicide exposure are denied because he was not exposed to such agents during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent disability rating for proctitis prior to August 15, 2013, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter. He is also entitled to a 40 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer as of January 4, 2016.

The Board finds that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death cannot be granted as there is no verified exposure to herbicide agents during service and no competent evidence linking prostate cancer, the sole cause of death, to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. The heart disability, kidney disability, bladder disability, and anemia are also presumed to be related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus were not caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder. His erectile dysfunction has not been linked to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his urinary incontinence and how frequently he changes absorbent materials. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including associated right lower extremity sciatica, is found to have originated during service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The erectile dysfunction claim is denied, the prostate cancer claim has been granted with a 40% rating from March 14, 2014, and the coronary artery disease claim remains at 30%. Additional evidence is needed to support the bilateral foot disorder claim.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been manifested by urinary leakage or incontinence requiring the wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times per day and daytime interval voiding between two and three hours. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 60 percent has not been warranted during the rating period.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating from 100% to 20% for prostate cancer was proper, and granted a higher disability rating of 40%. The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated based on voiding dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gall bladder and liver infections, including anemia and Vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as prostate cancer, all of which were found to be not related to active service. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of radiation exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate efforts in obtaining VA treatment records, and the Veteran is requested to provide authorizations for any outstanding private medical records.