Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer disability rating from 100% to 40% has been reduced. The Board is remanding the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for a VA urology opinion regarding the current severity of his prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a prostate disability, claimed as prostatitis and prostate cancer; an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD); and a chronic joint pain disability. The Veteran contends these disabilities are related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure due to insufficient evidence of in-service herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to attempt verification through JSRCC, issue a statement of the case on the diabetes mellitus claim, and readjudicate both issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals was granted, with the decision being based on new evidence received since the final denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is in remission and there is no evidence of renal dysfunction. The maximum schedular rating for prostate cancer has already been assigned, so a higher rating is not available.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty in the Korean DMZ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid cancer claims should be remanded for additional development due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to asbestos exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are being remanded for a new examination to reassess the severity of his disability, as his most recent VA examination is nearly 5 years old and he needs more treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicides at Fort McClellan in Alabama. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s alleged exposure through appropriate development with the JSRRC.

The Veteran's prostatectomy scars were not shown to be painful or unstable and did not limit the function of the affected parts. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for these scars is denied prior to February 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and are not otherwise related to service. Service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor, and allergic rhinitis is also denied as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including determining whether the appellant can be recognized as a proper substitute claimant for claims pending at the time of the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and a skin disorder other than dermatitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted for urinary tract cancer as there is no current diagnosis or relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication, including addressing the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and dismissed the appeal for service connection of prostate cancer. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a sleep disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. However, it is denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to service or any incident therein. The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected hypertension and obesity, which may be a substantial factor in causing these conditions.