Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for prostate cancer residuals and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for an addendum opinion. The increased rating for right lower extremity sciatica and TDIU prior to September 7, 2010 are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history from January 28, 2010 to January 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current prostate cancer is at least as likely as not related to his in-service chemical exposure during active service, and thus grants service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a reduction in his prostate cancer rating to 60% and discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate, but granted entitlement to Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to a back disability), and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer and sleep disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's rating for prostate cancer residuals was increased to 60 percent effective November 1, 2015.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown during service and there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, entitlement to service connection for sinus problems, entitlement to service connection for hypertension, entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer, entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a stroke, and entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are dismissed.,The issues of entitlement to effective dates earlier than February 7, 2017 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the residuals of a TBI are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of information verifying the Veteran's location during his Vietnam-era service. The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam, but there is no evidence confirming this.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer, require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities independently.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, specifically regarding treatment of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a combined-effects opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for left knee chondromalacia patellae was granted. The appeals for other conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy were not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, as the condition had its onset in service and there is a link between current symptoms and service.,Service connection for prostate cancer is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus has been dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus is not addressed, as service connection for diabetes mellitus has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.