Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and melanoma due to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the extent of his exposure is uncertain. The AOJ must complete the development specified in 38 C.F.R. § 3.311(a)(2)(iii) and undertake further development required under the regulation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are remanded due to the need for additional medical records, social security administration (SSA) records, and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and a need for an examination to determine if his prostate cancer is related to service, including any such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA medical opinion to assess the etiology of the Veteran's prostate disability and cause of death claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for prostate cancer, including status post prostatectomy with incontinence, bladder leakage, and any other residuals thereof, or residual prostatectomy scar. Service connection for a stomach disability (including duodenal ulcer and GERD) remains remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had additional active service from January 2006 to April 2006, and thus remands for an addendum to the VA examination report addressing whether his prostate cancer at least as likely as not manifested by April 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective September 18, 2013. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to prostate cancer, thyroid condition, bilateral cataracts disability, respiratory condition (blood clots in the lungs), bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, left corneal dystrophy, hypertension, hernia condition, residuals of gallbladder removal, and residuals of electric shock. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete or inaccurate factual bases for previous opinions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is remanded for further development due to the need for a dose assessment of ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent effective December 10, 2018. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 10 percent for his residual prostatectomy scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and prostate cancer. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and GERD are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to in-service events.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction have been rated, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the conditions were active during the appeal period and to assess the severity of his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for prostate cancer residuals, effective December 17, 2015. The Veteran's predominant residual is urinary incontinence requiring the wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times per day.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that it did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including erectile dysfunction, are rated at 60 percent from November 1, 2016, to May 29, 2018, and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran also receives TDIU benefits from November 1, 2016, to May 29, 2018.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent due to urinary frequency issues and urine leakage requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day. A separate rating of 20 percent is granted for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was received on May 30, 2018. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as the earliest date a claim was received was May 30, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Korea is not presumed due to his unit being near the DMZ, but a request for verification of actual exposure will be made.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer was denied, but his TDIU from December 9, 2014, was granted. The decision is mixed as one issue (TDIU) was granted and another (evaluation in excess of 60 percent) was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune, military burning activities during deployments, and depleted uranium. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence or information as needed.