Prostate cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating is being remanded due to outstanding treatment records not in evidence and failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are likely to prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The claims for increased ratings in various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation of prostatectomy residuals and TDIU due to lack of VA treatment records and inadequate notice regarding TDIU requirements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon polyps, hypertension (HTN), erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus (DM). The remand is due to verify whether the U.S.S. Theodore E. Chandler sailed within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam or within the waters outlined in 38 U.S.C. § 1116A while the Veteran was aboard.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, colon cancer, throat disability (esophageal spasms), hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and/or exposure to herbicide agents. The VA is required to schedule the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection was denied for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer of the left ear, prostate cancer, and herniated disc as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and potential need for additional evidence. The claims are now pending with the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, rendered him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from December 12, 2013. The Board granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including statements indicating potential exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease (IHD), all presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam era in Thailand.

The Veteran's bone cancer is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. The skin cancer claim is remanded for further action.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted, and the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded for a medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. However, the claims are denied as there is no evidence of actual service in Vietnam or other designated areas where Agent Orange was used.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The kidney cancer claim is remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its relation to in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and thyroid disability due to herbicide exposure, finding no evidence of such exposure.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and multiple fragment wounds of the buttocks. The remaining claims, including PTSD and prostate cancer, are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for enlarged prostate (other than prostate cancer) due to herbicide exposure. The heart disease issue is also remanded for further development and readjudication.