Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his symptoms of urinary frequency and incontinence make it difficult for him to work.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, due to unclear personnel records and incomplete verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's time at Udorn Air Base was not considered in the previous attempt to verify his exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent rating, which is granted. A higher rating of more than 40 percent for his prostate cancer residuals is requested and remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no indication in the record that he had a physical or mental disability preventing him from filing a disability pension claim, and the evidence does not show he met any of the criteria for permanent and total disability under the liberalizing law.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable during the period from January 12, 2012 to August 9, 2012. The evidence showed some functional limitations but did not indicate he was incapable of performing light duty or sedentary employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the Veteran's death and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, malignant glomus tumor, hypertension, and a low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.,Entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, ischemic heart disease, and pulmonary disability is also denied.

The Veteran's Peyronie’s deformity with implant and residual loss of erectile power is rated at 20 percent, the maximum under DC 7522. The reduction in rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 20 percent effective February 1, 2017 is remanded.

The Board has remanded cases involving prostate cancer and TBI with unspecified depressive disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's death. The claims are now moot.

The Board has found that the previous VA medical opinion was inadequate and requires an addendum to address specific directives. The issues of service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, pelvic cancer, temporary total rating due to surgical treatment of a service-connected disability (all colorectal cancers), SMC based on aid and attendance, and cause of death are remanded pending further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of decision.,Service connection for prostate cancer residuals is granted with an initial disability rating of 100 percent prior to January 7, 2013, and 40 percent thereafter. Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the lips (claimed as lip tumors), and colon polyps from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for prostate cancer residuals as of May 1, 2015, finding that the reduction from 100 to 40 percent was improper due to a failure to provide a required VA examination.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD, which prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his reported nighttime urination frequency.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the medical opinion found that his condition is not related to in-service exposure or Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, soft tissue sarcomas, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents in service or a nexus between these conditions and active duty.,The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic neck disability within one year after discharge from service, nor any indication of such condition during service. There is also no medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's duties likely exposed him to herbicide agents during his time at U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand. As a result, the criteria for service connection have been met.