Prostate cancer decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, heart disorder, and prostate cancer claimed as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty.

The Board denied an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals, finding that the Veteran's prostate cancer is in remission and does not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus as no new and material evidence was received, and the claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to August 7, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The claim for TDIU from March 2, 2017 to August 6, 2018 was also denied as the Veteran met the percentage thresholds but could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the claims of increased ratings for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for prostate cancer, effective February 1, 2014. The reduction from 100% to 40% was improper due to failure to follow regulatory requirements.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the 100 percent disability rating to 40 percent for prostate cancer residuals, effective December 1, 2015, was proper. However, the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer status-post prostatectomy. The reduction of the 100 percent rating for prostate cancer from February 24, 2009 to January 1, 2013 was proper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an earlier effective date for kidney cancer were denied. Service connection for prostate cancer was not granted due to lack of in-service disease or injury, and the claimant did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's kidney cancer was added to the list of diseases associated with Camp Lejeune as of March 14, 2017, but his effective date request is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetic retinopathy. The August 2013 rating decisions denying these claims are final.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory insufficiency with metastatic esophageal cancer and prostate cancer, is denied as not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The rating for prostate cancer residuals remains at 40 percent.,PTSD and chronic adjustment disorder with mixed depressed mood and anxiety received a new effective date of December 2, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for prostate and skin cancers, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was reduced from a 100% to a 10% rating effective December 1, 2014. The Board found that the reduction was proper and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer rating from 100% to 40% effective March 1, 2011 was proper and appropriate given his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, hematuria, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and hypertension. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to hazardous materials or toxins during service, and there was no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction was originally granted service connection in June 2014 and assigned a 100 percent rating effective November 12, 2013. The current appeal is for an increased disability rating to more than 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU prior to July 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the issue due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer.