Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's reduction in disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 40% effective November 1, 2015 is upheld. The appeal for a higher rating for residuals of prostate cancer and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of prostate cancer with radiation proctitis was denied as the evidence did not show that his urinary frequency warranted a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent was proper, effective February 1, 2015. The psychiatric appeal is remanded due to a need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, but a remand is required to attempt to corroborate the reported stressors. The claims for prostate cancer surgery residuals and mental condition secondary to prostate cancer are denied.,Service connection for PTSD remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is denied as service connection because there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides and the condition was not diagnosed within a year of discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, and SMC at the housebound rate due to prostate cancer with urinary incontinence is granted. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary disability, to include prostate cancer, due to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia (burn pits and depleted uranium). The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of prostate cancer was not successful as the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's application for service connection for prostate cancer was received by VA on May 2, 2016. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and review of all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, stress incontinence, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal have been fully granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection, as it is linked to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the lack of complete service treatment records and exposure confirmation. The VA is directed to obtain these records from the St. Petersburg VARO or any other identified source.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the earliest possible effective date is June 28, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg injury, and prostate cancer due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and updated SSA records.

The Board dismissed the service connection claim for glaucoma and remanded the service connection claim for prostate cancer status post proton beam radiotherapy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with the evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying exposure to herbicides. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic melanoma, but his prostate cancer contributed to it. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to exposure to toxic herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of death, finding that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death. The primary causes were identified as aspiration pneumonia and coagulopathy due to Coumadin therapy.