Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee chondromalacia claim was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating. Service connection for hemorrhoids, testicular disability, and prostate cancer (and/or residuals) were also denied due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation of whether he should be rated at 100 percent due to active cancer.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. ,The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service, and his erectile dysfunction is also service connected as it is secondary to his prostate cancer.,Service connection for a right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection as it was caused by noise exposure during his military service. However, the prostate cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty or any other condition.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence prior to July 11, 2013 was rated at 20 percent and from July 11, 2013 was rated at 60 percent. Both ratings were denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent since July 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional documents related to his claims.,A Statement of the Case must be issued regarding the denial of service connection for prostate cancer residuals, a compensable rating for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and a compensable rating for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of prostate cancer, service connection for a keloid scar on the occipital scalp, and service connection for glaucoma are all remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle DJD, prostate cancer residuals with erectile dysfunction and incontinence, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and hemorrhoids were denied service connection. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various disabilities, as well as the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral visual disturbances, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obesity, cholecystitis and residuals of a gallbladder removal, colon polyps and colon cancer, and gastrointestinal disorder (diverticulosis) were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lymphoma, and prostate cancer due to additional development being necessary. The claims are related to new evidence or a reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally denied. The Board also found that the Veteran had not provided sufficient evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hip disorder, sinus disorder, headache disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of current disabilities or recent diagnoses prior to the filing of a claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion, and now requires a new addendum from a VA internal medicine specialist to determine if the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and coronary artery disease contributed to his overall decline in health such that he was unable to resist the effects of the primary cause of death (cardio-respiratory arrest due to COPD and right heart failure).

The Board's decision is vacated due to the death of the substitute appellant. The appeal has been dismissed as it is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address exposure to Agent Orange at Avon Park AFR. The Veteran's prostate cancer is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin cancer are reopened. The Board has remanded the issues due to new evidence suggesting exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are denied as not related to service or a service-connected condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and binary lipid disease due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The remand is necessary due to insufficient evidence regarding presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307 and 3.309.