Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (prostate cancer residuals, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 30, 2012.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as it is presumed due to herbicide exposure while stationed at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for skin cancer, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for his prostate cancer disability and restored his SMC housebound benefits, both effective from February 1, 2020. The reduction of the rating for the Veteran's prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction from 100% to 40%, as of February 1, 2020, was valid due to procedural requirements.

The Veteran's earlier effective dates for service connection are granted for Erectile Dysfunction, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and Surgical Scar Post Radical Prostatectomy. However, the appeal to assign a permanent and total disability rating for prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is denied as service connection because it did not manifest during or within a year after service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim was denied due to lack of in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a cardiac disability to include heart failure (pacemaker installed), hypertension, and prostate cancer with benign prostate hypertrophy. The evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer disability rating from 100 percent to 20 percent was proper and a higher evaluation is not warranted for his residuals since August 1, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, liver disorder, gout, residuals of mini-strokes, PN of the bilateral lower extremities, and prostate cancer. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from October 27, 2010 to January 28, 2016.,Beginning October 27, 2010, the Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for VA examinations that were cancelled due to COVID-19 and other logistical issues. The Veteran is requested to provide alternative means for obtaining these exams.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to additional development being needed, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not addressed as it was not verified during the initial review.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of prostate cancer, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not arise from herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of a lay statement regarding prostate cancer and exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to service, but not directly; it may be aggravated by an existing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and panic disorder with cannabis use disorder, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected conditions, and the appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as there are no 10 years of total disability prior to death. The cause of death is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's diverticular disease is caused or aggravated by his service-connected chronic constipation with occasional diarrhea.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and atherosclerotic cardio disease (heart disability) due to herbicide exposure as there was no evidence of such exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% from December 9, 2019 forward. The rating is granted for the period of time.