Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his time at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand was presumed due to his consistent assertions and corroborated by service records and performance reports.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that fatigue from treatment for prostate cancer did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction and a scar associated with prostate cancer have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding herbicide exposure during service, and a VA examination is needed to determine if prostate cancer is related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension. The issues include determining if hypertension is secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and/or prostate cancer, or directly related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD with chronic and severe major depression, and prostate cancer, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment from April 15, 2014 to April 18, 2019. His claim for TDIU is granted during this period. For the period after April 18, 2019, his disability rating was 100%, making a separate TDIU claim moot.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service at Takhli and Korat Air Bases in Thailand is presumed. The condition satisfies the requirement of manifesting within a specified time period after last exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and development were not substantially complied with, and thus the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The AOJ is instructed to search the histories of Patrol Squadron 28 for any evidence that flights originated from Sangley Point, Philippines and stopped in Vietnam during the relevant period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasons and bases for determining that the Veteran was not competent to report what materials he transported and whether they were toxic. The Court found this insufficient, noting that the duty to assist with regard to examinations does not require 'competent' evidence of a nexus, but simply an indication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to restore a 100% rating for prostate cancer residuals, finding that the reduction from 100% to 40% was proper and that a 40% rating is appropriate as of June 1, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and coronary artery arteriosclerosis associated with herbicide exposure at Korat RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee strain, prostate cancer, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship with his military service.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is reopened due to new evidence showing he had elevated blood pressure during active service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is remanded for further investigation into his exposure to Agent Orange during service at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including VA outpatient records added since the last SSOC and additional examinations or opinions.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard the USS John King Navy vessel off the coast of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The decision also noted that there was insufficient information regarding potential radiation exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. Specifically, they need to verify herbicide exposure and obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to asbestos and his prostate cancer. The claim will be reconsidered after further development.