Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his prostate cancer and related residuals, as well as his erectile dysfunction. The AOJ must also ensure that all relevant VA records are obtained and reviewed, including any administrative decision regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation. Additionally, a VA examination will be conducted to assess the nature and extent of his service-connected skin cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, colovesical fistula, suprapubic colostomy, and anemia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction. Service connection for diverticulitis/diverticulosis and low testosterone have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to an herbicidal agent for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II. The remand is required because a VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral otitis externa and prostate cancer, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder due to in-service scuba diving duties.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD with secondary persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation. The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of the Compensation Service for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and depression are both granted. Prostate cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, while the depression is found to be secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to June 27, 2018 is remanded due to changes in his service-connected conditions and the need for additional evidence regarding his ability to work.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, myositis (myopathy), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that his prostate cancer is not related to any disease or injury in service and did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives regarding herbicide exposure at Eglin AFB. The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer as related to herbicide exposure is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the reduction of the 100 percent evaluation for prostate cancer to 60 percent, as well as the issues regarding an increased evaluation for prostate cancer and a higher initial evaluation for depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent from May 20, 2013 to October 17, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of records.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his disability ratings for prostate cancer residuals, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and a scar were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate development of medical records and the need for additional retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides at Nakhon Phanom Air Base and to determine if his prostate cancer, glaucoma, and skin cancer residuals are related to service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.