Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria, including due to lack of permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was received on June 1, 1993. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at June 1, 1993 due to a May 2014 rating decision based on the Nehmer class action. An earlier effective date prior to June 1, 1993 for accrued benefits purposes was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his in-service gonococcal infection, but a VA opinion is needed to clarify this relationship. For erectile dysfunction, the connection to service needs further clarification as it may be secondary to prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue as a result of the Veteran's service-connected bladder and prostate cancers, Type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for metastatic prostate cancer has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease (CAD)/ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his nautical service in the offshore eligible waters as defined by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, was not incurred in service. The Board found that the evidence did not support direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD) are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his time stationed at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran's testimony regarding his time spent near the base perimeter credible, establishing facts-found exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents and whether he entered the territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam. The AOJ is tasked with verifying these details.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, which were rated at 100% prior to February 1, 2014, are now rated at 60%. The rating is effective from February 1, 2014, and continues until the Veteran's death on March 9, 2018.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to prostate cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's in-service leg injury and amputation to his death from prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, skin disability, hypertension, gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and depressive disorder has been remanded for further development.,An effective date prior to October 6, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is also being remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and bladder cancer are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The respiratory disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer residuals, skin cancer residuals, tremors, vascular dementia, and colon cancer residuals due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The AOJ is instructed to contact the DTRA regarding any test operations conducted at the NV test site during 1961 and a search for a radiation badge associated with the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he failed to provide sufficient information about his employment history, which is necessary to determine if he could perform different types of work or any type of work.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of prostate cancer or diabetes mellitus Type II being related to service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus Type II have been denied as the Veteran's conditions are not shown to be due to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, a distended or weakened bladder, cytomegalovirus, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. His claim for erectile dysfunction was also denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity or other residual conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer, which had been reduced from 100 percent to 40 percent effective November 1, 2016.