Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right-hand disability and whether it is related to service, including as being caused or aggravated by a service-connected left-hand disability. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinion regarding service connection for prostate cancer, specifically related to in-service chemical exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Korea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, with prostate cancer potentially linked to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete military personnel records and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer, its cause, and whether service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 40 percent since May 1, 2018. The Board found that a higher evaluation beyond this level is not warranted.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, including radiation colitis and urinary frequency with erectile dysfunction, are now rated appropriately.,A TDIU is granted effective November 27, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus (DM II) on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals was denied, and his mental disability was granted a 70% rating but not more. The prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer disability is remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was denied service connection as it manifested more than one year after separation and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service injury or disease. The claims for psychiatric, heart, cervical spine, low back, bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are remanded due to the failure to obtain examinations and opinions concerning their etiology.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, prostate cancer, peptic ulcer disease, and right thumb disability. The effective date of the grant of service connection for migraine headaches remains July 23, 2015.

The Board has decided that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicide agents can be adjudicated. The VA will need to obtain authorization and request private treatment records from St. Luke's Medical Center, Dr. S.M., Dr. J.T., Dr. C.L., and Dr. J.S. Additionally, efforts should be made to verify whether the USS Intrepid operated within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective November 1, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of active malignancy or local recurrence.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be in need of regular aid and assistance. The claim for financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment was also denied as he does not meet the criteria due to nonservice-connected disabilities causing his need.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy due to potential herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran asserts he was exposed along or near the Korean DMZ in 1975, which may be considered based on a half-life study.

The Board dismissed the service connection claim for prostate cancer as it was already granted and in effect.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims, and a new examination is needed to determine if any left ankle disability is related to military service.

The Board has restored a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy, effective November 1, 2017. The reduction in the rating from 100 to 40 percent was found improper due to evidence showing active malignancy.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure near the perimeter of Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer due to inadequate nexus opinions from prior VA examinations. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and diabetes mellitus are not rated higher than their current levels.