Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction have been granted service connection. The Veteran also received a 100% disability rating for Meniere’s syndrome, which encompasses hearing impairment, vertigo, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and vertigo ratings were discontinued, while his tinnitus rating was reduced to 10%. He now receives a 100% disability rating for GAD. The Veteran also received SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service records show he served on USS Hancock during the Vietnam era, but it is unclear if the ship entered the territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam. The Board needs to obtain additional evidence and review the ship history to determine if Agent Orange exposure occurred.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer and prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran served in Vietnam within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea, qualifying him for presumptive service connection under the Agent Orange Act.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination.,Service connection has been granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, both presumed due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer residuals are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for bladder cancer is remanded as the evidence suggests a possible link to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for prostate cancer was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit. However, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, but has remanded the issue of whether erectile dysfunction is aggravated by prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities had their ratings reduced, but these reductions are considered improper due to procedural errors. The issues have been remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicides and there was no in-service event, injury or disease related to prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and metastatic disease of the T-9 vertebral body, as well as the small shrapnel wound claim due to potential service connection issues related to exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's service records need to be verified regarding his time off the coast of Vietnam, and a VA medical opinion is needed on whether his prostate cancer may have been caused by asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear for VA purposes.,Service connection for prostate cancer is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during or within one year after service, and there is no medical evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus between the disability and service. The earliest diagnosis was more than 30 years after separation from service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with levoscoliosis and degenerative joint disease is denied because his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam qualifies him for presumptive service connection. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication, including verification of his unit history in Korea and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence received since the last decision is relevant to the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and prostate cancer. The case is being remanded so that VA can review this new evidence and determine if it warrants a new examination or reconsideration of the claims.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and he is not entitled to a compensable rating for this condition.,Prior to March 19, 2014, the Veteran was not found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, both presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam War.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are granted as a result of herbicide exposure. Erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of adequate nexus opinion. Squamous cell carcinoma of the neck is also remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and sarcoidosis (due to herbicide exposure) as they are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during his time in Thailand. Service connection for PTSD is remanded.