Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least eight years prior, thus denying the claim for increased DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1311 (a)(2).

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for residuals of left wrist fracture, kidney disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and lung disorder have been granted. The petitions to reopen the remaining issues are pending.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, prostate cancer, and essential tremors are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,Prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for a new and material evidence review. Essential tremors have been referred back for an addendum opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings, an earlier effective date for prostate cancer service connection, and an earlier effective date for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he reported worsening symptoms since his last examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20% effective April 8, 2004. Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and depressive disorder are granted service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to incomplete records, and the claims for Meniere's syndrome and headaches are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is also remanded for further development related to herbicide exposure.

The VA awarded the Appellant DIC benefits based on her spouse's service-connected disabilities, which were rated as totally disabling for at least 8 years prior to death. The decision is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer status and its impact on his disability rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 100% disability rating for prostate cancer, effective August 1, 2015, after finding that the reduction from 40% to 100% was improper due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a determination on service connection for a skin disability and an increased rating for prostate cancer. The issues of initial rating for traumatic brain injury and TDIU prior to September 26, 2014 are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals prostate cancer was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or prostate cancer, and his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to carcinogenic substances at Camp Lejeune during his military service is causative of his condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further development, including verification of his periods of active duty and exposure to radiation or herbicides.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities and he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate hypertrophy is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for urinary incontinence. The Board denied a higher rating as the criteria are adequate to describe his disability level and symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU due to these conditions.