Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including back condition, COPD, artery bypass, prostate cancer, and leukemia. The appeal for TDIU was also dismissed. Service connection for lymphoma due to exposure at Camp Lejeune is granted, as is service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the USS Catfish (SS-339) sailed in waters that qualify for Agent Orange exposure, which could affect service connection claims for prostate cancer and penile deformity.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, prostate cancer (secondary to asbestos exposure), right knee disorder, lower back disorder, tinnitus, and sarcoidosis. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently rated at 60 percent and the Board has denied restoration to a 100 percent rating, as there was no local recurrence or metastasis of the cancer. The Veteran's voiding dysfunction is also considered, but does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and its potential effects on his prostate cancer. Further development is needed, including obtaining a dose estimate from VA’s Under Secretary for Health.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer is granted, and he is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for a decision regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer and its relationship to his service-connected thyroid disability. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for the residuals of thyroid cancer, but an examination is needed to determine if there is a link between his prostate cancer and his thyroid disability.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent, effective February 2, 2013, was proper as his prostate cancer is in remission and a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to malignant neoplasm of bladder, secondary malignant neoplasm of bones, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. The Board finds that the case should be remanded for verification of herbicide exposure at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, and for a medical opinion on whether Agent Orange exposure contributed to his death.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to in-service chemical exposure. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the issue of service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. However, his stroke claim is denied as it does not fall under the presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of a link between his prostate cancer disability and his active service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed service in Thailand and his exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer, but additional development is needed to verify his tour of duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has found service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, but remanded the claims for bladder cancer and pleural plaques due to asbestos.

The Board has denied service connection for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, right foot hallux valgus, prostate cancer, and skin cancer. The Veteran's claims are denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his active service.