Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The application to reopen claims for prostate cancer, low back disability, right leg disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is remanded as the cause of this condition needs further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, stroke, neuropathy, and heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment before February 26, 2016, and after November 1, 2019. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for these periods.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The RO must obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for prostate cancer is remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent disabling from April 1, 2014. The reduction of the initial 100 percent rating for prostate cancer was proper by operation of law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had in-country service in Vietnam and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. Therefore, prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran is granted TDIU benefits from December 1, 2016 to March 24, 2019.,The Veteran's CAD rating remains at 60 percent from August 1, 2011 to March 24, 2019. A higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's post bypass scars are rated at 10 percent and a higher rating is denied.

All issues on appeal are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma with melanoma, and bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was denied for prostate cancer due to lack of a positive nexus between exposure to commercial weed killer and the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering all exposures during his service that may have caused his prostate cancer, rather than just radiation exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, which was previously rated at 100%, is now rated at 40% effective March 1, 2019. From that date forward, the Veteran is granted a 60% rating for urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The appeal to reduce the evaluation of service-connected prostate cancer from 100% to 80% is dismissed as there was no proper appeal and no subsequent rating decision effectuating the reduction.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and retinopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected conditions, specifically pulmonary embolism and prostate cancer. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the claims for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, low back disability, skin disability, left ear abnormal growth, heart disability, and stroke.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The low back disability, diabetes mellitus with macular edema and diabetic retinopathy (right eye), right leg radiculitis, right knee arthritis, residuals of a left index finger fracture, hemorrhoids, and prostate cancer residuals are all rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for all of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including Hepatitis C, angina, bone cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression or anxiety), erectile dysfunction, GERD, herpes, hypertension, jaw disability, left arm disability, left knee disability, left leg disability, left shoulder disability, lung cancer, prostate cancer, sinusitis, and sore throat. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer was withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for DM were denied prior to November 17, 2010 and from June 12, 2018. A rating of 40 percent for DM was granted from April 8, 2016 to June 11, 2018.,The Veteran's appeals for ratings of PN were granted at 40 percent for both lower extremities.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed as moot.

Service connection granted for low back and neck conditions, but prostate cancer is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's left ankle condition remains unresolved as the record contains inconsistencies regarding which ankle was injured.