Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service exposure to toxic substances at MCAS El Toro.,The Board also denied service connection for heart condition, concluding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service exposure to contaminated groundwater.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides is being remanded as there is insufficient information to verify his reported in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of prostate cancer has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his PTSD on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, incontinence, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of each extremity are remanded due to the need for verification regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during his time serving on a Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death is also remanded as it is intertwined with other issues.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Thailand. The Board also found that prostate cancer did not principally or contributorily cause the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and kidney disease were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.,Service connection for the right nephrectomy claim was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; prostate cancer; hypertension; respiratory disorder (to include asbestosis); and PTSD due to additional evidence being added to the record since previous decisions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a residual scar of the right arm. The claims for prostate cancer, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the cervical spine, lumbar spine, heart condition, and prostate cancer claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, skin disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and his current Erectile Dysfunction (ED). The issue of special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ due to ED will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 20%, and a 30% rating for bowel incontinence was granted. The reduction of the prostate cancer rating is upheld, but a higher rating for bowel incontinence is warranted.

Service connection for prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence of their onset in service or within one year post-service, and they are not otherwise related to service. Service connection for other conditions like fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS, impotence, incontinence, elbow and shoulder disorders, and left knee arthritis is also denied due to lack of a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits were reduced due to incarceration, and an overpayment was created. The appeal is granted as the overpayment was not the fault of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a bronchogenic cyst, post-operative is dismissed. The claim to reopen for a right knee disability has been granted and the Veteran now has a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective December 27, 2010. TDIU was also granted beginning December 27, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, have been sufficiently disabling to render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's claim for heart disease was granted. Claims for stomach condition, prostate cancer, and bilateral upper/lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were remanded. Migraine headaches and cold injury residuals to both feet were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction) have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.