Prostate cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty in or near the Korean DMZ. The claims are now reopened due to a change in law.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea due to unresolved issues regarding exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that there is at least equipoise evidence of herbicide agent exposure during military service but requires further clarification on whether the Veteran’s bladder cancer is a primary condition or metastasized from his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with bladder metastasis is denied as not related to service, and the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply due to his discharge prior to the presumptive period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran was not granted presumptive service connection based on his claimed in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and examining the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The prostate cancer and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy claims are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causation. The PTSD claim is remanded due to lack of supporting evidence.