Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities from February 1, 2012 to October 27, 2013 and from November 24, 2014 to July 23, 2015.

The Veteran's lymphedema is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The increased rating for prostate cancer prior to April 13, 2018 and the claims for sleep apnea and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and cervical spine disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, liver disability, prostate disability (including prostate cancer), and respiratory disability. The claims are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune contaminated water.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer should be remanded due to uncertainty regarding his service in the Republic of Vietnam and potential Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM), Parkinson’s disease, and prostate cancer due to alleged exposure to pesticides and insecticides during active service. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure and service connection. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown in service nor within one year following discharge, so direct service connection is denied. Prostate cancer and right elbow conditions are also being remanded for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information on the Veteran's income and medical expenses, which is necessary for a full decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer may be associated with presumptive exposure to Agent Orange due to his service on a ship within 12 nautical miles of the coast of Vietnam. However, this determination is contingent upon further clarification regarding the specific circumstances of his service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently rated as 100% permanent and total due to active malignancy, but the RO notes there is a likelihood of improvement. The Board finds the evidence unclear and conflicting regarding the remission status and severity of his prostate cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for narcolepsy and hypertension. The prostate cancer claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examination, and the kidney disability and bilateral lower extremity disability claims are also remanded.,Further evaluations by VA are needed to address the Veteran’s prostate cancer, kidney disability, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for prostate cancer, right scapula shell fragment wounds, and left ilio-inguinal nerve disability are remanded. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is also remanded.

The Veteran's chronic genitourinary disorder (claimed as urinary tract or prostate cancer) is granted as secondary to alcohol use disorder and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, at worst, have been manifested by voiding dysfunction that required the wearing of absorbent materials that had to be changed more than four times per day. The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bladder cancer and prostate cancer to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of specific articles and the need for a VA opinion from a qualified specialist (toxicologist or oncologist). The Veteran's prostate cancer is being reviewed again based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding his alleged in-service exposure to radiation. The claims will be reconsidered with additional development.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a new radiation dose estimate and expert opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer, as well as an advisory medical opinion on the relationship between his prostate cancer and in-service radiation exposure.