Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's heart condition and prostate cancer are granted service connection. The remaining issues, including back pain, respiratory disability, hypertension, GERD, and psychiatric disorder, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease with Barrett's esophagus, irritable colon syndrome, and prostate cancer due to lack of evidence establishing herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection have been remanded by the Board. The VA is directed to obtain private treatment records, provide a medical opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed skin disorder, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his PTSD and prostate cancer do not prevent him from working.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to noncompensable effective August 1, 2016 was proper. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if a compensable disability rating is warranted for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a combined total disability rating greater than 100 percent, finding that his service connected disabilities already warranted a 100% combined rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for prostate cancer from December 1, 2012, to November 15, 2018, was denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected bronchial asthma and prostate cancer from December 1, 2012, to November 15, 2018, was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, with symptoms including flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment. The effective date for this rating remains pending as the decision was made in August 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of prostate cancer prior to July 20, 2011 is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange while in service.

The Board has granted service connection for ureteral cell carcinoma of the ureter and bladder, chronic renal insufficiency, status post left total nephrectomy, and prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure. The conditions are presumed to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding no evidence of radiation exposure and noting that there is no probative evidence establishing a link between the current prostate cancer and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, hypertensive nephrosclerosis (claimed as kidney failure), prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water, asbestos, jet fuel, and lead poisoning. The Veteran's records are incomplete and need to be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, posttraumatic stress disorder, prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II due to new evidence. However, these claims are still pending as further verification of in-service herbicide exposure is needed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, effective July 1, 2010. The rating reduction from 100% to 40% was proper as the Veteran underwent a prostatectomy and subsequent VA examination found his prostate cancer in remission.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetic nephropathy are all granted due to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including urinary leakage requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times a day, are rated at 60 percent prior to May 30, 2018. The issue of service connection for bowel dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the cases for verification of the Veteran's service within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam, as this could affect his presumptive exposure to herbicides.