Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The claims are now moot.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Veteran's service records, and the diseases were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right and left lower and upper extremity neuropathy, vision impairment, kidney disorder, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,Service connection was denied as there was no showing that any of these conditions began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the claim for service connection for a prostate disability, which is inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim. The AOJ needs to complete the directives from the June 2018 remand and then readjudicate both claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and effective date determination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and exposure as a firefighter. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's reduction in rating for prostate cancer is void ab initio, and the prior rating of 100 percent is restored. The claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran currently receiving SMC. The issue of an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD and irritable bowel syndrome, prostate cancer, skin condition (keratosis), and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The Board found that there was no exposure to herbicides during service.,Service connection is not granted as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for kidney disease, prostate cancer, hypertension (secondary to kidney disorder), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was reopened and granted with an effective date of May 2, 2011. The original denial in July 2012 was based on the absence of evidence of exposure to herbicides during his time aboard the Alamo ship.

The Veteran's prostate cancer has worsened, requiring an additional VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that it is not at least as likely as not related to his active service. The urologist opined that the early onset of prostate cancer in the Veteran was consistent with known risk factors and did not support a link to service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer is denied as the earliest effective date available to him was January 17, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and skin cancer were denied. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 10, 2012 to February 19, 2019 was denied, while his claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss since February 20, 2019 was also denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 40%, and the Board has ordered additional development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not diagnosed until decades after service, and there is no evidence linking it to active service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for obtaining missing VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC entitlement. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was attributed to right heart failure caused by COPD. The Board requested a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran’s service-connected CAD contributed substantially or materially to his death, combined to cause it, or aided in its production.

The Board has granted an extension of a 100% evaluation for prostate cancer from July 1, 2014 to September 1, 2014. The Veteran's combined disability rating remains at 50%. The effective date is based on the cessation of radiation therapy and remission of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus could not establish a presumption of service connection. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer did not meet the criteria for SMC due to regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals beginning on June 1, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.