Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction. The TDIU issue is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, and therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Korea. His bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted as they were aggravated during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was granted service connection with an effective date of April 28, 2016. The condition is presumed to have been caused by exposure to burn pits during his military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 100% to 10% for prostate cancer residuals was proper. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20% for prostate cancer residuals is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and residuals of prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, as these conditions are presumed related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issues of entitlement to initial increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis and for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions during the pendency of his claim.,Service connection has also been remanded for prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease due to alleged herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to the receipt of new and material evidence. A new examination is needed for PTSD, and extra-schedular consideration may be necessary for TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as no claim or evidence of unemployability was raised prior to June 30, 2015.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including urinary frequency, are granted a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate and lung cancers have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete military records and service treatment records, particularly regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam. The issues of prostate cancer secondary to Agent Orange exposure and spinal disability secondary to prostate cancer are intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, other than prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for a higher initial rating for atrial fibrillation is remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 17, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective January 9, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and dizzy spells/vertigo due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's exposure to pesticides in Korea is being investigated further.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base, and thus service connection for the cause of death cannot be determined based on this factor alone. The claim is also remanded for further development related to the Veteran’s service history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The kidney disability claim is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.