Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of evidence of a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for higher level SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for prostate cancer with urinary frequency due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for hypertension and kidney stones are denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer with urinary frequency is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as metastatic prostate cancer, which he did not have service-connected at the time of his death. The Board found no direct or presumptive evidence linking prostate cancer to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2009. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for prostate cancer due to new evidence received since the final denial. The Veteran's diagnosed prostate cancer is found to be related to his in-service chronic prostatitis, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, effective February 1, 2013. The predominant residual following treatment for prostate cancer is a voiding dysfunction that manifests as a daytime voiding interval of between one and two hours.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 60%, and his entitlement to special monthly compensation for housebound status was discontinued. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains unchanged at March 16, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's alleged in-service exposure to herbicides, including his time at Sattahip or Camp Vayama, and during travel from Vietnam to Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an opinion from a specialist regarding the Veteran's claim of prostate cancer caused by exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran will be asked to provide any additional records and may undergo an examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as due to radiation exposure during his military service, is remanded. The Board needs to confirm if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation while aboard the U.S.S. Merapi and obtain a dose assessment and opinion on whether his prostate cancer is related to this exposure.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for prostate cancer and denied SMC at the housebound rate. The claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease was also denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease arose prior to August 18, 2009.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for prostate cancer residuals beginning April 16, 2012. The Veteran's prior 100 percent rating was reduced due to improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is a recognized radiogenic disease, and his exposure to ionizing radiation in service may have caused it. However, the VA needs to obtain more information about his specific exposure and determine if there is at least as likely as not that his prostate cancer resulted from this exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner to determine if the prostate cancer is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not related to service or exposure to herbicides. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The prostate cancer and metastasis of prostate carcinoma into cervical spine region, low back injury, cold injury sequelae, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and malignant melanoma claims are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure, service connection for a low back injury, etiology of cold injury residuals, peripheral neuropathies, and malignant melanoma.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the residuals of prostate cancer, effective from March 19, 2010. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability (intervertebral disc disease), bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, and prostate cancer are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service treatment records do not document any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including right shoulder injury, low back injury/surgery, eye disabilities, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, lumps on back of right shoulder, residuals of sores on back of head, chloracne, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and depression. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records from the San Antonio VAMC, National Guard or Reserve service records, and clarifying private audiological evaluation results.