Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is granted. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), to include as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to prostate cancer, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease as secondary to herbicide agent exposure due to a lack of clarity regarding his service in Vietnam. The Veteran served aboard the U.S.S. Valley Forge, but it is unclear if he was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea during the relevant timeframe.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of his current symptoms and whether they are related to excessive treatment. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, an increased rating for COPD with chronic bronchitis, and TDIU are all being considered.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) and Camp Friendship.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and whether he served in the Republic of Vietnam under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The claims will also be reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20% prior to June 22, 2015 and at 40% thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative changes of the left thumb is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction is remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicides while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's exposure history needs to be evaluated, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further investigation regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Prostate cancer and sleep apnea are now considered due to exposure to herbicides, while degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran served in Vietnam or within 12 nautical miles of its coast during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's USS Diamond Head (AE-19) was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during his service, which is necessary for determining if he was exposed to herbicides and thus eligible for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, bladder removal, prostate cancer residuals, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents while in Thailand or Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various psychiatric conditions, diabetes, a right knee condition, and prostate cancer. The remand requires further development of evidence regarding the Veteran’s claimed stressors for PTSD, verification of his in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride/toxic chemicals for prostate cancer, and an addendum opinion from the March 2019 VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, heart disease disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, respiratory condition, and upper torso left side scar associated with lung surgery due to potential herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain deck logs from USS Ranger and USS Hancock (CVA-19) and determine if they were within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which he was presumed to have been exposed to during his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for heart condition, prostate cancer, hypertension, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction due to potential herbicide exposure during service.