Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and asbestosis were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claim that prostate cancer was related to ionizing radiation exposure during service, nor did it find a direct relationship between prostate cancer and active service. For asbestosis, the Board determined there was insufficient post-bronchodilator testing results to determine an appropriate disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a higher disability rating for his prostate cancer residuals, finding that the reduction from 100% to 40% was proper based on current medical evidence showing no active malignant neoplasms and predominant voiding dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his service and the condition. The Board also noted that prostate cancer is not listed among the conditions subject to presumptive service connection for Camp Lejeune veterans.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer due to radiation exposure, but also noted that additional development is needed regarding chemical exposure at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further review.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer due to herbicide exposure. The claims are dismissed as a result.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer with bone metastasis and the cause of death due to prostate cancer, finding that there was no nexus between the Veteran's PTSD and his prostate cancer or cause of death. The preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected, but his urinary tract condition and left knee joint replacement are being reviewed further.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including metastatic bone cancer and prostate cancer, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 9, 2016. The appeal for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a determination on whether he meets the criteria for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a disability rating of 60 percent for prostate cancer residuals is denied. The effective date remains September 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicides during military service. The case must be returned to the JSRRC for verification of herbicide exposure in Okinawa and Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are granted, with prostate cancer being presumed due to herbicide exposure. The left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected asthmatic bronchitis and COPD did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2017. After February 9, 2017, when he was granted a total disability rating with special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to his prostate cancer and lung cancer, the matter of TDIU is moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential herbicide exposure verification.

The Board has remanded the case due to a challenge raised by the appellant's representative regarding the competency of the VA examiner who conducted a records-based examination on Camp Lejeune water contamination and prostate cancer. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining the examiner’s credentials.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and PTSD have rendered him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment since February 20, 2013. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for prostate cancer from October 2, 2015 to April 9, 2018 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ due to prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction was denied because service connection has not been established for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that his MOS duties placed him on or near the perimeter of U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand during the Vietnam Era. The presumption of herbicide agent exposure applies due to his service in Thailand and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer during this period.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective June 1, 2018. The reduction is upheld as the evidence showed improvement in his condition.