Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and an increased rating for chronic epididymo-orchitis due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, which is sufficient evidence for granting service connection for the cause of his death due to metastatic prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and bilateral ilium focal sclerosis, both of which were not found to be related to herbicide exposure or any other type of chemical during service.,There is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year following discharge.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure, and his prostate cancer is also granted as secondary to the bladder cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, right ankle and knee disabilities, and prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Korea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, chronic laryngitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for malignant neoplasms of bone, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence showing the Veteran's presence in the territorial waters of Vietnam, which is required for herbicide exposure service connection. The VA will attempt to obtain deck logs from the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk.

The Veteran's prostate cancer status post-prostatectomy is granted a 100% rating from May 30, 2018 through November 30, 2018. From December 1, 2018, the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer manifested by voiding dysfunction are rated at 40%. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's bladder disability and residuals of prostate cancer are being remanded for additional development to determine if they were caused by VA treatment or exposure to Agent Orange.,New evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's claims, but further examination is needed to assess whether his current conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as his claims are not supported by the evidence of record.,Service connection for prostate cancer has been granted based on exposure to herbicide agents during service. The right knee condition and skin condition of the leg have been denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other service-connected disabilities. Service connection for vertigo/dizziness has also been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection due to his currently non-service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding whether the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans engaged shore targets in Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals was denied. A 20 percent rating is granted beginning July 20, 2018. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to toxic chemicals during service.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for diabetes, arthritis, and prostate cancer as there is no timely Notice of Disagreement filed within one year from the November 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents while in service. The heart disorder is remanded for further examination.