Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or a direct relationship between the conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, which was caused by his service-connected prostate cancer, is now considered a service-connected disability. As the cause of death, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating prior to March 22, 2012 was denied. From March 22, 2012 to July 18, 2017, he received a 40 percent rating, which is the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Since July 18, 2017, his disability has been rated at 60 percent. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity. His claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tympanic membrane perforation is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. A compensable rating of 20 percent is assigned from February 24, 2020 for DM II.,An initial compensable rating prior to August 1, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected DM II requires a compensable rating prior to February 24, 2020.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from December 5, 2001 to December 18, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to finality of prior Board decisions. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum allowable, and his upper left extremity radiculitis is not rated higher than 20 percent. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has not been established prior to December 7, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records from private doctors. The Veteran is asked to provide complete addresses for Dr. Ahn, Dr. Chinn, and Dr. Lederer so VA can obtain their treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, scars from prostate cancer surgery, and prostate cancer residuals. The initial ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bladder cancer that he believes is related to his service-connected prostate cancer. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the bladder cancer was proximately due or the result of the prostate cancer, but did not address whether the prostate cancer aggravated the bladder cancer. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a July 2016 VA opinion regarding bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor, prostate cancer, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The Board will seek verification of herbicide agent exposure in Korea and obtain an addendum opinion from an audiologist to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease, a cardiac disorder, and prostate cancer due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The VA has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for lung cancer, and service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right shoulder disability, hypertension, high cholesterol, prostate cancer, and esophagus cancer/surgery have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer was granted effective March 30, 2020.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded due to concerns about the timing of notification and follow-up treatment, which may have contributed to a more severe progression of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran has prostate cancer, which could affect his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back strain is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a prostate disorder, including prostate cancer and due to herbicide exposure, is denied.,Service connection for an acquired mental health condition diagnosed as dementia, PTSD, and depressive disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancer due to exposure to herbicides and/or diesel fuel. The case is sent back for an independent medical opinion from an oncologist.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, respiratory disability (COPD), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for further evaluation as his current rating does not reflect the severity of his conditions.