Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a hernia disability as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will require an examination to determine if the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and stomach issues, render him unemployable from November 13, 2017 onward. The Board found that his physical and mental abilities were sufficient to perform the type of activities required by his former occupation prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The regional office will review this evidence and consider its impact on the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer residuals, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 19, 2013. The Board granted TDIU as of that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking the prostate cancer to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion to address whether the Veteran's residual symptoms are proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of faulty on the part of the VA medical center providing treatment for his prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer residuals, including urinary incontinence, on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for prostate cancer residuals and his TDIU claim have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased disability rating, and his TDIU claim was moot due to existing SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's digestive disorder, diagnosed as IBS, was not found to be related to his service or service-connected PTSD.,For prostate cancer residuals, the Veteran received a noncompensable rating from February 14, 2005, and a compensable rating of 40 percent effective June 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung disability, prostate cancer, and left leg injury due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's lung disability is related to his active military service, but not to PTSD. Prostate cancer is less likely caused by or aggravated by PTSD. Left leg injury is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a link between in-service symptoms and later diagnosed prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand.

The Veteran's PTSD and prostate cancer were not granted higher ratings, with the exception of a 70% rating for PTSD starting May 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100 to 20 percent, effective January 1, 2012, and the issues regarding higher ratings for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were granted a rating of 60 percent effective September 3, 2019. Prior to March 20, 2019, the Veteran was not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for prostate cancer because no new and relevant evidence was submitted to support the claim.

The reduction from a 100 percent rating to a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer effective April 1, 2015 was proper. The Veteran's other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and not higher, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to September 17, 2020, the residuals of prostate cancer are rated at 40%, which is the maximum available under current regulations. After this date, they are rated at 60%. The Veteran's condition has improved such that he no longer requires an appliance or absorbent materials more than four times per day.,On and after September 17, 2020, a 60% evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review. The issue of an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, including the propriety of reducing his rating from 100% to 10%, remains on hold until further action.