Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's prostate cancer was granted a 100% disability rating from July 27, 2010 to September 21, 2011. The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer were denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to October 2, 2017. A 100% disability rating was granted for the period from October 2, 2017 onwards.,The decision is mixed as it grants a 100% disability rating for prostate cancer in two periods but denies an increased rating for the period prior to October 2, 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and need for prostate removal surgery are not considered to be caused by VA negligence or an unforeseeable event, so his claim for 1151 compensation is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disability, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to ionizing radiation exposure. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any in-service complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The appeal is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer residuals, effective January 3, 2017. The reduction from 100 to 40 percent was procedural and by operation of law.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure, as he served in or near the Korean DMZ between September 1967 and August 1971.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and his erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to his service-connected hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or a causal relationship between the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by active service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including breast carcinoma, gynecomastia, cancer of the blood (claimed as leukemia), prostate cancer, lung cancer, and renal carcinoma. The Board found that these conditions were not related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were granted a 20 percent rating from March 15, 2011 to August 15, 2015 and denied any increase in rating since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Thailand. The decision is based on credible evidence of the Veteran's exposure to these agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board noted that while the Veteran was exposed to hazardous materials during service, including aircraft maintenance and cleaning, this exposure did not result in a diagnosis of prostate cancer until many years after service. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to support a claim based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, right and left upper extremity neuropathy, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to potential new evidence. The Veteran's prostate cancer is being evaluated for secondary service connection with bladder and lung cancers, while his bilateral upper extremity neuropathies are being evaluated for aggravation by these conditions.

The Board denied a combined rating in excess of 90% since September 26, 2018. The Veteran's disabilities were evaluated and combined according to the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in an overall disability rating of 90%. The claim for a higher combined rating was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure at Nam Phong Royal Thai Air Force Base. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between any of his service-connected conditions and his death. The Board also found that none of his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, including erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ.