Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to failure to attend a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating exceeding 60 percent for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied as the predominant residuals do not meet the criteria for such a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction is denied as he does not suffer from a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating exceeding 30 percent for disfigurement of the left side of his nose is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing two or more characteristics of disfigurement.

The Board denied service connection for leukemia, prostate cancer, skin cancer, multiple myeloma, and skin infections including MRSA. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation during service or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 100% to a 40% disability rating for prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy, effective June 1, 2018, was proper as the Veteran's prostate cancer is in remission and results in the use of absorbent materials which must be changed 2 to 4 times per day.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the diseases are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not service connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. His left wrist and right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, with a TDIU also granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent effective August 1, 2018 was proper based on sustained improvement in the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 26, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from July 26, 2018 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to contaminants present in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was granted effective October 21, 2015. An earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lung disorder, skin condition, and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the issue of service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides. The TDIU claim is held in abeyance pending a decision on the PTSD grant.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further review due to the need for deck logs and JSRRC analysis. The bilateral hearing loss claim is also being remanded as a new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but the specific details of the exposure basis remain unclear.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, left breast removal, right breast removal, and hemochromatosis are remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as it can be presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart condition, prostate cancer, skin disorder (claimed as skin discoloration), and type II diabetes mellitus, all of which were claimed to be due to herbicide agent exposure. The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the prostate cancer had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer do not render him unemployable as he has been able to work in a managerial position and does not require any accommodations. The Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded for further examination and opinion.