Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100% rating for prostate cancer residuals from February 1, 2013 as there was no material improvement in his disability and the procedures were followed. The Veteran had a reduction of his disability rating from 100% to 30% due to improvements in his condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability. His claim for secondary service connection for pancreatic cancer was denied, and his DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a thoracolumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, headaches, gastrointestinal disability manifesting in nausea and vomiting, and inability to conceive. These issues are being remanded.

The Board has not made a decision on the service connection claims as prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction because it needs to determine if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos in service, which could impact the outcome of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure have been reopened. The claim of service connection for voiding dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability is also remanded.

The reduction of the rating for prostate cancer residuals from 60 percent to 40 percent, effective February 1, 2017, was improper. The Veteran's hypertension is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, characterized by the need to change absorbent materials four or more times per day due to voiding dysfunction, are granted at a rating of 60 percent prior to January 11, 2017. The claim for TDIU is also granted prior to October 2, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer and its relation to in-service exposure to chemicals, including Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, lung cancer, and erectile dysfunction are all granted service connection based on in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his military service at U-Tapao air base in Thailand, and as a result of this exposure, multiple cancers including prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, bladder cancer, and esophageal metastatic cancer are presumed to be related to his military service. As these were contributory causes of the Veteran’s death, entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, erectile dysfunction, right kidney cyst, and right hip cyst related to ionizing radiation exposure or treatment are denied. The 1151 claims for additional disability due to radiation treatments for prostate cancer are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC was remanded due to the AOJ not issuing a SOC after his July 2018 NOD. The Board is now required to take jurisdiction over this issue and direct issuance of a SOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that his current condition did not have onset during active service and was not caused by or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents are granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that he was exposed to such agents during his service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective January 2, 2017. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of formal or informal claims prior to March 24, 2015.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation remains at 30 percent, and an effective date earlier than January 23, 2012 is denied.,Service connection for skin cancer and prostate cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded.