Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to a lack of medical evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work during specific time periods. The case is returned for further development and an updated opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and allergic rhinitis (chronic sinusitis) due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs additional opinions regarding the etiology of his prostate cancer, as well as clarification on whether he had allergic rhinitis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancers were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.,There was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in Korea, and the Veteran did not have a presumptive claim based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, type II diabetes, PTSD, tinnitus, and diabetic neuropathy, have caused his erectile dysfunction. As a result, both the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and the SMC claim based on loss of use of a creative organ are granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board denied the claim as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 60 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer.,Effective from March 11, 2019, the Veteran was granted SMC due to having additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's initial rating for prostate cancer residuals was granted at a 20 percent level from December 15, 2009 to July 18, 2019. A higher rating of 40 percent is denied since July 18, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim was decided on a direct basis and no presumptive service connection was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's duties may have brought him near the perimeter of U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base, where herbicides were sprayed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of prostate cancer. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are currently pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during service and has continued since separation.,Prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease are both remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Effective May 24, 2017, the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for various conditions including Parkinson’s disease with weakness of the left lower extremity, right knee strain, instability and subluxation, loss of sense of smell, constipation, and other related issues.

The Board has found that a remand is needed due to the need for additional medical opinions and clarification of previous opinions. The Veteran's prostate cancer may be related to exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, but further evidence is required.

A rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spondylosis is denied.,The application to reopen the claim of service connection for prostate cancer is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and LLE and RLE radiculopathy are not granted due to lack of evidence or insufficient evidence.,Entitlement to TDIU is inextricably intertwined with other claims and cannot be decided at this time.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, should be remanded. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s claimed in-service exposure to an herbicide agent and schedule him for a VA examination to assess his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and prostate cancer due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.