Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and residuals, as well as arteriosclerotic heart disease, both presumed to be caused by herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service at Don Maung Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's prostate cancer and exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of prostate cancer, including urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials less than two times per day, are granted an initial 20 percent rating since August 1, 2014.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection based on his reported noise exposure during service. Service connection for hearing loss and prostate cancer were denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for disability, while the colostomy associated with prostate cancer was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected prostate and bladder cancer. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to contaminants in the on-base water supply located at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for service-connected prostate cancer treatment residuals, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy associated with DM, HTN and ED, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic dermopathy, left lower extremity PN, right lower extremity PN, scars, status post coronary artery bypass graft surgery, prostatectomy and bilateral AKAs, and erectile dysfunction have been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected scars has also been denied.

The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a back disability was denied.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for depression was granted.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection and a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer is February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation, as his sleep apnea, voiding dysfunction, tinnitus, and hearing loss do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death due to complications from prostate cancer warrants service connection, but the records are not available. The case is being remanded for further efforts to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and personnel files.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and other carcinogenic agents, specifically during his service as an Embarkation NCO and aboard a ship in 'Vietnam waters'.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions and is seeking verification of the Veteran's herbicide exposure while stationed in Okinawa.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected prostate cancer and its residuals. The Board has ordered further development to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's service on deep-water naval vessels qualifies him for presumptive exposure to herbicides, including those in the territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected because the evidence shows a continuity of symptoms from service until his diagnosis in 2009.

The Veteran's appeal concerning residuals of prostate cancer with painful urination was withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, left hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hernia were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s back disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post robotic prostatectomy, results in erectile dysfunction but no other residuals, and the prostate cancer is in remission. The voiding dysfunction causes urine leakage, but it does not require the wearing of absorbent material or the use of an appliance. The condition does not cause increased urinary frequency or signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction manifests as loss of erectile function, but without deformity of the penis.,The Veteran’s service-connected scars are not unstable or painful, measure less than 39 square centimeters in total area, are not associated with underlying tissue damage, and result in no functional impairments or disabling effects.,Audiometric testing establishes that the Veteran has had, at worst, level I hearing in the right ear. Audiometric testing also established that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.,While the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active military service, he does not have a left ear hearing disability for VA purposes.