Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further investigation into potential herbicide agent exposure in the Korean DMZ during his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was denied because the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of prostate cancer, which was the basis for the previous denial. The new evidence submitted since the last final denial is cumulative and does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and vertigo, finding new and material evidence. ,Service connection was denied as both conditions are not attributable to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The RO is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides and conduct further development regarding his claimed PTSD.

The reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 40% was improper, and the prior 100% rating is restored effective September 1, 2015. The appeal regarding diabetes, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea disorders was denied due to untimely filing of a notice of disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and the claim for a TDIU since November 29, 2015. The prostate cancer was not found to be related to National Guard service due to lack of federalization. The TDIU claim was granted based on the Appellant's service-connected disabilities making him unable to work.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals during his service at Fort Gordon in Georgia, as well as the etiology of his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals include urinary frequency, and he is granted a 10 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability are all granted service connection. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for a rating determination.

The Board has granted a 60% rating for prostate cancer residuals from April 1, 2015 to November 18, 2016. The reduction from 100% to 40% was improper.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, status post radical retropubic prostatectomy. The claim for service connection of bilateral ankle disability is remanded due to insufficient examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 9, 2017 for prostate cancer was denied.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and left lower extremity were also denied.,There is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's claims are based on direct service connection rather than a presumption due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be related to his service at Camp Lejeune, where he was presumed to have been exposed to contaminated water. The Board denied service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's 100% rating for prostate cancer residuals was reduced to a 60%, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has granted TDIU from January 23, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune likely caused his condition. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure due to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to prostate cancer, finding that no disability resulting from service aggravated or contributed substantially to his death. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for prostate cancer and glaucoma, as well as an increased rating for inguinal hernia in October 2018. As a result, the Board has dismissed these appeals.