Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, both presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and the Board finds that this claim should be granted based on the conceded exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service-connected. The decision also notes that the Veteran's hearing loss began in-service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents based on credible evidence of the Veteran's exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding the relationship between his prostate cancer and service as well as the diagnosis of PTSD. The Board has therefore ordered remand to obtain additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as loss of erectile power, but not a physical deformity. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction is denied.,SMC for loss of use of a creative organ in excess of the K-1 rate is not provided as a matter of law.,Prior to November 18, 2019, residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 20 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.,Since November 18, 2019, residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 40 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for Erectile Dysfunction and also granted the claim itself, finding that the Veteran's ED was at least partly aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following cardiac catheterization with stent placement is denied.,Claims for effective dates prior to January 27, 2015, for service connection of PTSD and tinnitus are denied.,Claims for an increased rating for prostate cancer are denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.,Claims for peripheral neuropathy of various extremities and residuals of malaria are remanded due to incomplete records.,Claims for a higher evaluation for tinnitus, IHD, PTSD, and prostate cancer are remanded.,Claim for TDIU is remanded.

A rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted effective October 12, 2018. The Veteran also receives a TDIU effective September 24, 2018 and SMC at the housebound rate effective September 24, 2018.,The Veteran's CAD has been rated as 60 percent disabling since November 1, 2015. He is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including CAD, PTSD, and prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer was reopened due to new evidence submitted. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current disability to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, while his claim for a 40 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer (voiding dysfunction) was granted.

The Veteran's widow requested to be substituted as the appellant after her husband died. The appeal was dismissed because the appellant withdrew all issues on appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure during his service on the USS Nicholas in DaNang harbor, Vietnam. The Board granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral cataracts is denied as the evidence does not show that the disability began prior to April 10, 2012.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left rib injury and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted to this extent only.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to prostate cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his service in Vietnam. The appellant also received a grant for accrued benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to service connection for thyroid disorder, prostate cancer, and degenerative bone disease. The Veteran's exposure to jet fuel, other environmental toxins, and asbestos is conceded. He claims exposure to herbicide agents while working as an aircraft mechanic and flight crew chief at Travis Air Force Base (AFB) and Dover AFB.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding that it did not manifest within the presumptive period and was not due to ionizing radiation exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and prostate cancer, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.