Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam and had boots on the ground there. The decision affirms the presumption of exposure due to service in Vietnam and finds a link between the current diagnosis of prostate cancer and this presumed exposure.

The cause of death (metastatic esophageal cancer) is not service-connected, as there was no evidence linking the condition to active service or any presumptive exposure. The service-connected prostate cancer did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was due to multisystem organ failure caused by septic shock and other conditions not related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for COPD due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected conditions. For prostate cancer residuals, a rating of 60 percent was granted since November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection. Service connection for leukopenia and chronic neutropenia and left knee injury are remanded.

The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. The appeal for restoration of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain updated information about his most recent employment and to request an opinion regarding the combined effects of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer treatment. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing an updated opinion addressing the Veteran’s claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals and left perirectal lymph node metastasis associated with prostate cancer residuals have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and acquiring a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and tinnitus are granted. The claim for tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, duodenal ulcer, and mental health conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 28, 2008 onwards. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board denied service connection for kidney cancer and prostate cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer are both granted due to the presumption of herbicide agent exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of skin cancer and prostate cancer, both due to radiation exposure, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various cancers, including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer, due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records, addressing the extent of the Veteran's exposure to radiation, preparing a dose estimate by VA, and obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection, while prostate cancer and the cause of death are denied. The temporary total rating for surgical treatment and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance are dismissed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service, including alleged herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of depression, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and prostate cancer. As a result, the claims are dismissed.