Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, neck condition, and degenerative arthritis of the spine were denied as there was no evidence of service connection or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied effective dates prior to February 15, 2019, for the grants of service connection for prostate cancer and osseous metastatic disease as there was no pending claim or intent to file a claim before that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure and other chemical exposures, and a VA medical examination is needed to determine if prostate cancer is related to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals resulted in a daytime voiding interval of less than one hour and awakening to void three to four times per night from October 15, 2014 to December 28, 2016. The use of absorbent materials was not required during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking his early onset prostate cancer to his Gulf War service or exposure to oil well fires. The Board also found that the Veteran's age and family history were more likely causes of his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there was no service connection for the conditions that caused his death, and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, radiation cystitis, urethritis and urethral stricture have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective January 30, 2019, his service-connected radiation proctitis has also been rated as 60 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by PTSD, which the Board found to be related to an in-service assault. The appeal is granted as service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is established.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was restored to a 100% rating from March 1, 2016. However, the 100% rating was reduced to 60% for residuals of prostate cancer on December 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain private medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disorder, prostate cancer, and back disorder as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed in Takhli, Thailand. The initial rating for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability. Service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reduce his prostate cancer residuals rating from 100% to 0%, and also determined that he did not meet criteria for a compensable rating during the period in question.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand is presumed and that he was exposed near the base perimeter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and residuals of prostate cancer were granted with effective dates of January 30, 2014, and June 20, 2016 respectively. The grants are based on new evidence submitted after the original denial in August 2015.

The restoration of the 60 percent rating for prostate cancer is granted. The reduction of the 70 percent rating for PTSD to 50 percent effective October 1, 2015, and the evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the reduction in evaluation of prostate cancer from 100% to 60%, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.