Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of compliance with previous directives and incomplete development regarding radiation exposure during service.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer are all granted. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any relevant criteria.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the service-connected prostate cancer did not contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and jet fuel, which could affect his claim for service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from March 1, 2014 to March 11, 2015 due to his service-connected prostate cancer and its impact on his ability to work as a truck driver.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction rendered him unable to secure substantially gainful employment prior to March 20, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to asbestos exposure and erectile dysfunction, as they are inextricably intertwined. The remand requires a new VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his prostate cancer is related to the use of Ranitidine in treating his service-connected GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to contaminated groundwater at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s claimed exposures and schedule him for an examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction, which is claimed to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he submitted fraudulent documents in the pursuit of VA compensation benefits.,The Board found that the Veteran knowingly provided numerous fraudulent documents, including those printed on an inkjet printer not available until 1976 and predated that time.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by a service-connected disability, specifically his prostate cancer and the radioactive seed implantation procedure he underwent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of prostate cancer and that his diagnosed conditions were more likely due to herbicide exposure during his time in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, depression, abdominal pain, anxiety, peripheral vascular disease of the left upper extremity, thoracic spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stomach condition, peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right upper extremity, and rash for further development. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any complaints or findings related to these conditions. However, he contends that his disabilities were incurred during active duty due to various factors including a motor vehicle accident in 1975.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents in Puerto Rico during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma due to alleged exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and make a formal finding regarding his exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Gulf of Tonkin. The decision also requires a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD, did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board dismissed the claim as moot.