Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The appeals for service connection for bilateral cataracts, prostate cancer, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and lung cancer, which are presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's active service in Thailand. The cause of death (metastatic prostate cancer) is also considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, Hepatitis C, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, right wrist dislocation, left knee medial meniscus tear post medial meniscectomy, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU claims are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further investigation of his exposure to herbicide agents, as the initial search by the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) did not provide enough information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's prostate cancer entered remission after his prostatectomy. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and bilateral peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The AOJ is instructed to verify if the Veteran served at RTAFB in Takhli, Thailand, where he was exposed to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as presumptively related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The left knee disorder, chronic headaches, and high blood pressure are denied as not being related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer service connection was denied as the diagnosis of prostate cancer was not confirmed until January 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been denied as there is no evidence of large or thrombotic, irreducible hemorrhoids with excessive redundant tissue, persistent bleeding with anemia, or anal fissures.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer cannot be earlier than September 11, 2012. The Veteran did not file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on loss of use of both hands due to service-connected cervical and upper extremity disabilities.,The need for regular aid and attendance claim is moot as the Veteran's SMC(m) award for loss of use of both hands is the greater benefit.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his prostate cancer residuals prior to April 25, 2016 was denied. However, the Veteran received a 60 percent disability rating since April 25, 2016.,The Board found that the Veteran’s residuals of prostate cancer more nearly approximated the criteria for a 60 percent rating from April 25, 2016.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions, including pain, as well as prostate cancer are granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension and sleep disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of prostate cancer is granted, and the issue is remanded for further development regarding exposure to in-service radiation.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinson’s disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his time aboard the USS Okinawa within 12 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam.

The Veteran's prostate and bladder cancers are rated at 100 percent each, but the Board finds that these disabilities affect the same body system (genitourinary) and do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation due to housebound status.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents while serving in or near the Korean DMZ, and his claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service.