Prostate cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer was dismissed. The Board remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, kidney dysfunction, and below-the-knee left leg amputation due to in-service exposure to PCBs.

The reduction of the rating for residuals of prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent, effective May 1, 2016, was proper. The Veteran's disability is now rated based on voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. However, his malignant melanoma is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within the one-year presumptive period.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of prostate cancer remains at 40 percent since September 1, 2017. The issue is still pending as the RO did not grant a full increase.,Scars associated with prostate cancer are currently rated noncompensable and remain under appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than October 7, 2015 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer. The claim was originally filed in August 2009 and reopened in October 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer as a result of herbicide exposure while stationed at the Ubon RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, effective January 1, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer more closely approximate the criteria for a 60 percent rating due to urinary frequency issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being submitted, but did not specify a decision on the merits of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and heart condition, finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found that exposure to toxic chemicals during service did not cause or contribute to the development of either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, prostate disorder (including residuals of prostate cancer and residuals of prostate surgery), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder) due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and colon cancer as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The agency of original jurisdiction is instructed to request further information from the Joint Services Records Research Center regarding the Veteran's reported TDY service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: one related to the restoration of a 100 percent disability rating for prostate cancer and another related to the restoration of SMC at the housebound rate. Both issues are tied together, so they must be addressed again.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and adjudication, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus, both of which are presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied extraschedular consideration for the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, finding that the established schedular criteria adequately describe the severity and symptoms of his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and an increased rating of 100 percent for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's prostate cancer aggravated his FSGS.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service.,High cholesterol claim is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer evaluation from 100 percent to 40 percent was proper, as there is no evidence of active malignancy and the current symptoms are adequately addressed by a 40 percent rating.