Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure, and his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are both granted.,Prostate cancer is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart condition due to the lack of evidence showing ischemic heart disease or any other qualifying condition related to service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for prostate cancer is remanded as there are missing records from UIHC that need to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, both of which the Veteran claimed were due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for prostate cancer residuals and service connection for left ear hearing loss disability. The Board has determined that there was not a factually ascertainable worsening of the Veteran's symptoms within the one-year period prior to October 12, 2017, for the prostate cancer residuals.,The Veteran did not submit a claim for an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals until October 12, 2017. The effective date assigned by the RO is based on the date of receipt of the claim.

The appellant has withdrawn all claims of service connection for metastatic bone, liver, and prostate cancer on the basis of substitution.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, and the presumption is not rebutted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during ACDUTRA training at Fort Chaffee.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service on the USS Ranger in December 1972, which was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam.

The reduction of the Veteran's rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 20% effective January 1, 2012 was proper. The Veteran's current condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent from February 26, 2013 to September 27, 2019. The claim for a higher rating is denied. A separate noncompensable rating for residual prostate cancer scar is granted from February 26, 2013. Service connection for left and right lower extremity neurological disorders is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea. The RO is instructed to obtain and associate with the claims file the exact dates, locations, and proximity of the Veteran's service from April 1971 to August 31, 1971, as well as any records of Agent Orange exposure at Camp Casey, Camp Ames, and Okinawa, Japan.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate condition (claimed as prostate cancer), due to herbicide exposure, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence of a link between his service and the claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 12, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being precluded from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent from January 7, 2013 to February 10, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was aggravated by active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to exposure to herbicide during service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's GERD began during active service and is related to exposure to herbicide during service; the hiatal hernia was most likely aggravated by military service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is related to an in-service injury and is considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance (A&A) due to insufficient evidence showing that he required regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp LeJeune. The Veteran's service records confirm his presence at Camp LeJeune, and he currently has diagnoses of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, and eczema due to the Veteran's withdrawal before a decision was made.