Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance is not due to his service-connected disabilities, as it is primarily attributed to a non-service connected stroke. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only benefits.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's prostate cancer, including service connection for metastatic bone cancer, muscle weakness, bladder impairment, erectile dysfunction, posture impairment, and sleep disturbance. The remand is due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's prostate cancer and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and ocular melanoma of the left eye, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis within one year of discharge from service and concluding that it is unlikely these conditions are related to in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for pulmonary nodules, prostate cancer, splenomegaly, and hepatic steatosis. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is established, and he asserts these conditions are related to this exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, and for a VA examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding insufficient evidence to support exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease, which includes SMC under Section 1114(s).

The Board has found that the Veteran's VA treatment records for the period from January 1972 to present are not associated with his claims file. The case is being remanded so these records can be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.,The cause of the Veteran's death, hepatocellular carcinoma, is also granted as service-connected because it was caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C, both linked to the Veteran's PTSD and service.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer due to radiation exposure and remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scar, right thumb and scar, right bicep. The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and prostate cancer were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, and/or other chemicals and/or toxins. The claims for prostate cancer, respiratory disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, hypertension, sinusitis, nerve condition, and headaches are being reviewed due to possible exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development regarding in-country Vietnam service and its impact on the Veteran's claims of prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for STD, prostate cancer, motion sickness/dizziness, and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from SSA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and headache disorder, to include as secondary to tinnitus. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to herbicides are not supported by his service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder arthritis, right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected prostate cancer. The case was previously before the Board multiple times, and in January 2015, it was remanded for additional development including a VA examination of the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer. However, the August 2015 examiner did not review the claims file as requested. Therefore, a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s residuals of prostate cancer.