Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to July 1, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for prostate cancer is granted. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer is reopened, but not decided on its merits due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for upper respiratory infection and pharyngitis are denied.,The Veteran's claim for cholecystitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for diverticulitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for basal cell carcinoma is denied.,The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for prostate cancer is remanded.,The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of chronicity in service.,The retina disability is not service-connected as it is not secondary to a service-connected condition or related to an in-service injury or disease.,Bladder cysts are not service-connected as there was no evidence of chronicity in service, nor any connection to herbicide exposure.,Prostate cancer is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of chronicity in service.,Skin cancer is not service-connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of chronicity in service.,Vitiligo is not service-connected as there was no evidence of chronicity in service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been caused by his in-service herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to ensure full compliance with the VCAA and its implementing regulations. The claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era Navy service.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB). The Board granted service connection for the condition.

The Board has determined that more information is needed to decide the claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's presence at Nam Phong Air Base during the Vietnam era supports his claim, but further verification of his claimed exposure is required.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 15, 2016. A total disability rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability is granted effective December 15, 2016.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer residuals, including as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer, and urinary condition secondary to prostate cancer. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and prostate cancer are dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has presumptive service connection for his active chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his service-connected PTSD did not contribute to his death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran had not been receiving or entitled to receive compensation for service-connected disability that was continuously rated totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding death.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and prostate cancer render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, which is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the evidence does not confirm if he served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not rated compensably, and his prostate cancer requires further examination to determine its current status.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes because the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during active service. The diseases were also not shown to have had their onset in service or during the initial post separation year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions.