Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer including residuals, finding that the Veteran's prostate cancer did not begin in service and was not related to any exposure to herbicide agents. The preponderance of evidence supported the conclusion that the disability is not linked to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not caused by any in-service incident or event, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer (due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune), left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure, have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2011 for service connection of prostate cancer and ED, as well as SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The Board found that the award was based on relevant service records not previously obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer due to potential exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service in Vietnam. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. O'Bannon and whether it was within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam or in waters outlined by 38 U.S.C. § 1116A from February 1967 to October 1969.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction, stating he was satisfied with the current disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history for the period from January 1, 2011, to February 4, 2011, or prior to January 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU effective April 1, 2019. The issue of TDIU prior to September 13, 2018 is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II were denied as the medical evidence showed these conditions were diagnosed prior to their respective claims, warranting a presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 31, 2014. The rating for prostate cancer and associated surgical scar is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate and bladder cancer residuals have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding potential herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the non-service-connected burial allowance and plot allowance. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and varicose veins due to inadequate examination, requiring a new evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete development regarding his claimed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The appellant is asked to provide more information about their alleged exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer is granted.,Service connection for hypertension as due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ should verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and provide a VA examination if necessary.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded. A VA examination is needed to determine whether his current migraines are related to military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The AOJ should obtain updated VA treatment records and afford the Veteran a VA examination if necessary.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, presumed to be skin cancer, due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ should verify his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and provide a VA examination if necessary.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, presumed to be PTSD, is remanded. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's SSA records and afford him a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral eye condition (cataracts) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other basis for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including terminal hospital records and private medical records. The Veteran's cause of death is currently under review.