Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus are related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange during service in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while aboard his ship during his service in Vietnam, which could potentially grant him service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and prostate cancer, as secondary to PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents using JSRRC.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer, which was linked to exposure to herbicides, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, as the Veteran does not have these conditions. The claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and prostate cancer are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied, and the cause of death claim is remanded due to incomplete records and need for an opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be considered before a final decision can be made on the veteran's claims for service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The left ear hearing loss and PTSD are both rated at the minimum compensable level, while prostate cancer was reduced to a 20 percent rating from November 1, 2009 to March 6, 2018.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of prostate cancer prior to June 5, 2018 is denied. The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for prostate cancer prior to October 19, 2016, and a higher than 40 percent rating from October 19, 2016, to November 15, 2016, are both denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DMII and prostate cancer, are remanded due to insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, mouth cancer, and kidney or bladder disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to herbicide agent exposure (PACT Act), was granted. The claim for arrythmia (heart condition) was denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as pancreatic cancer, but a supplemental report now lists prostate cancer as the condition leading to his death. The appellant is claiming that the Veteran’s service-connected prostate cancer contributed to his death. The Board has ordered an addendum medical opinion to determine if the service-connected prostate cancer materially or substantially contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and skin growths due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The appellant is asked to provide authorization for private treatment records, and VA is instructed to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, which he claims is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange while serving on a ship within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are being remanded for further verification of his claimed exposure to herbicide agents in service. The peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded as they are related to the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and prostate cancer disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if there is a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The Board granted the claim based on this presumption, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death and exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, which he contends is due to exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service, has been remanded. The AOJ must request additional evidence covering the entire period of his service and seek a new opinion from the appropriate division on the likelihood of service connection.