Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's Ogilvie’s syndrome, which is proximately due to his prostate cancer, is granted secondary service connection. From October 6, 2017, the Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides that could support a grant of benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100% rating for prostate cancer, finding that there was no recurrence or metastasis of the condition after October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer were rated at 60 percent from December 1, 2012 to July 22, 2014, and from October 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015, and since August 1, 2016. The Veteran's voiding dysfunction required the wearing of absorbent materials more than four times per day during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough and prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure, as there is insufficient evidence to verify in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, low back disability with radiculopathy, testicular hypogonadism, and depressive disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.,Service connection has also been denied for bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The issue of a higher disability rating for prostate cancer with urinary tract infections is dismissed due to acceptance of the current rating. A 60 percent disability rating is granted for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft, and erectile dysfunction remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from his active duty period.

The Veteran's prostate cancer disability is being remanded for further evaluation and additional medical records to be obtained.

The Veteran's service at Camp Lejeune during his active duty is presumed to have exposed him to contaminated water. However, prostate cancer is not listed among the diseases caused by exposure to contaminants in the water supply systems at Camp Lejeune. The claim will be remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current prostate cancer had onset in or is otherwise related to active service, including contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service radiation exposure and his current condition. The diagnosis of prostate cancer occurred more than 47 years after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, and the effective date for TDIU is set at December 16, 2012. The ratings for prostatectomy scars and erectile dysfunction remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection, including his exposure at Johnston Island. The AOJ is instructed to verify any herbicide agent exposure and conduct further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and higher ratings due to insufficient VA opinions regarding etiology and severity of the disabilities, as well as inadequate notice provided to the appellant.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. The claim for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100% rating for prostate cancer, finding that discontinuance of the 100% rating was proper and restoration is not warranted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 100% due to its severity, but the Board finds that a permanent and total disability rating cannot be granted because treatment has ceased. The condition is considered active and will likely continue for the remainder of his life.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is remanded due to insufficient development of his exposure theories and the need for an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent, but the issue of a higher rating is denied.