Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and granted. Service connection is established for major depressive disorder, hypertension secondary to major depressive disorder, and psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder).

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to prostate cancer remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and prostate cancer, finding insufficient evidence to link these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and excessive sun exposure while serving in Okinawa and Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 6, 2013 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found but shall not be earlier than one year before the date of receipt of the application.

The Veteran's diabetes and prostate cancer are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for migraines was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for back disability and prostate cancer were both remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for prostate cancer residuals, finding that the reduction from 100% to 60% was proper and restoration of a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's dominant residual condition remains voiding dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and need for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water while serving at Air Force bases in the United States, which may be related to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of frequent urination and nighttime awakenings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his bladder, prostate, kidney, and erectile dysfunction disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain medical records, verify the Veteran's periods of service, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The case will be returned for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed. The Veteran’s prostate cancer claim was denied, and his COPD claim was also denied. The Board has remanded several other issues including service connection for Lyme disease, arthritis of various joints, chronic fatigue, gout, rashes, memory loss, and Bell's Palsy.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in case law regarding presumptive service connection for prostate cancer based on exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's service record shows he was aboard a ship within the territorial waters of Vietnam, but further verification is needed to determine if he was within 12 nautical miles of the coast during his time on board.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was currently rated at 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain additional evidence, including SPRs and any other relevant records, to determine if the Veteran’s unit participated in missions to Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, increased rating for PTSD prior to March 28, 2016, and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of relevant VA treatment records that have not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time at the Korat and U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force bases.