Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, including his exposure to herbicide agents and chemicals in service. The AOJ must obtain updated medical records, develop the claim with respect to TCE and carbon tetrachloride exposures, and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Service connection is granted for prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy. The issue of service connection for myeloma, stage IV remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer metastasis.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The arthritis of the hands and back are denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was granted service connection with an effective date of July 21, 2015. The Board found that a retroactive effective date of July 21, 2014 is warranted due to the liberalizing law for presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for heart disease and entitlement to TDIU.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board found no evidence to warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of a causal relationship between the Veteran's prostate cancer and his back pain, which was not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his prostate cancer rating to 60 percent was dismissed. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown to be related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been withdrawn. The rating reduction of prostatitis from 40 percent to non-compensable was improper and restored ab initio. The appeal as to the increased rating for prostatitis is granted, but remanded for further examination. Service connection for left hip condition and right hip condition secondary to lumbosacral strain are also remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy, and granted it. The evidence presented suggests a reasonable possibility that the appellant's prostate cancer is related to his in-service radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and for an expert medical opinion regarding asbestos exposure. The service connection issues are related, so the SMC issue is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions in service that could support the claims. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown to be related to his active duty service, and there is insufficient medical literature linking diesel fuel or jet fuel exposure to prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated as 60 percent disabling, effective April 1, 2016. The reduction from 100 percent to 60 percent was proper and restoration is denied. The Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is not service-connected and a compensable rating is denied. From April 1, 2016 to December 11, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU benefits. From February 19, 2016 to March 31, 2016, he was rated as totally disabled due to prostate cancer alone, meeting criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine when the Veteran last held substantially gainful employment prior to December 9, 2015 and to clarify his dates of employment. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU is also referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's appeals for restoration of his prostate cancer disability rating and effective dates for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at U Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.