Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 20 percent effective June 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including liver cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (claimed as fatty liver), prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, residuals of mini-stroke, gout, hypertension, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations or medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board also found that the prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy. The appeal regarding prostate cancer and hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Veteran died in March 2015 and was previously rated with coronary artery disease (30%) and prostate cancer (100%). Service connection is not available on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, but the Board will consider whether it can be established on a direct basis.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are granted due to herbicide agent exposure. However, the initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was caused or aggravated by his prostate cancer, which is related to his bladder cancer.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the November 2013 examiner to address whether the Veteran's prostate cancer and ED are related to his service in Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, both claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure. The Board found no objective evidence of herbicide agent use or exposure on Guam during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder), finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding no credible evidence of herbicide exposure and concluding that his current prostate cancer is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The claim for erectile dysfunction will also be remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to prostate cancer.,The claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and the etiology of the erectile dysfunction.,A sleep study is needed, along with an addendum opinion from a clinician to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service. The examiner should also determine if the Veteran’s conditions are manifestations of a single condition or separate disorders.,The right shoulder claim will be remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relationship to complaints of arm numbness and pain in service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The heart disability claim has been withdrawn by the appellant. TDIU remains pending and needs further action.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents, as the appellant was exposed during his time in Thailand between June and July 1961.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, hypertension, and stroke residuals due to in-service exposure. The claims are also being reopened as new evidence supports reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer has been denied as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction warranting an 80 or 100 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma. The conditions are all related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to radiation.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for prostate cancer, effective July 1, 2018, finding that his condition did not improve at the time of the reduction and he had active prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The medical opinions are inadequate, and a new opinion is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and hypertension claims are remanded due to incomplete records. The Board requests the complete personnel record, including TDY service details, and asks for additional treatment records close in time to service.