Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart disease and prostate cancer, both secondary to PTSD, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective March 1, 2015. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 14, 2016.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of prostate cancer and coronary artery bypass, as well as service connection for gout, hypertension (due to service-connected coronary artery bypass), a left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is also remanded because there has not been a proper C&P exam.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to missing VA treatment records, a lack of a VA examination addressing only his service-connected disorders, and an inability to attend the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the delay in reporting biopsy results and treatment caused additional disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a prostate cancer examination. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction prior to December 21, 2012 is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that prostate cancer was not related to his military service and did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted a 20 percent rating, and the leg disability and prostate cancer residuals are not increased.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate cancer has been dismissed as he requested its withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further development and an opinion regarding whether it is related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim will be reviewed under the special procedures provided in 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide agent exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer with residual urinary incontinence is denied as the Board found that the award of service connection was not based on new and material evidence, but rather on the Veteran's credible assertion of serving along the perimeter of NKP RTAFB.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his erectile dysfunction is aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and an amended death certificate. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding whether in-service asbestos exposure caused the Veteran's COPD, asbestosis, and prostate cancer, and if these conditions contributed to his death.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and deep vein thrombosis due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for testicular and prostate cancers, finding no evidence of herbicide agent or chemical exposure during the Veteran's active duty on Guam. The cancers were not related to service.