Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, secondary peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, prostate cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. However, due to a lack of evidence linking erectile dysfunction to these conditions, the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete development and the need for updated employment information. The issues of increased ratings for varicose veins have also been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of radiation dose assessment, and requests that all relevant records be forwarded to the Under Secretary for Health for preparation of a radiation dose estimate.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and thus denying presumptive service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim regarding service connection for prostate cancer due to incomplete development of his exposure history. The case is being remanded to complete this necessary development.

The Veteran seeks restoration of a 100% rating for prostate cancer residuals, and also challenges the reduction from 100% to 60%. The Board finds that remand is necessary due to lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case to assess whether a higher disability rating is warranted for the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals since July 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic chemicals during his service. The AOJ is instructed to verify any such exposures and obtain a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was not granted for either condition as there is no evidence linking them to active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus. The reopened claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma of the right eye, and PTSD with substance abuse are remanded due to new evidence that may relate these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their associated functional impairment, which is necessary to evaluate his entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for Erectile Dysfunction and a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the evidence does not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange exposure during his service at RTAFBs in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, have been granted effective May 30, 2008. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction are also effective from this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and unspecified tremors due to toxic chemicals, as they are related to service exposure. The claims will be reviewed with consideration of additional evidence since the last SOC.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is considered incurred during service due to exposure near the Korean DMZ, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals regarding lung cancer service connection and reopening of gynecomastia and prostate cancer claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, and a separate evaluation of 10 percent for the prostatectomy scar is granted. The Veteran's prostate cancer has been in remission since treatment was completed in 2002.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to asbestos. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions considering the submitted articles.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and/or diabetes mellitus type II.