Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Korat RTAFB under the PACT Act and thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 28, 2014 (bilateral hearing loss) and January 31, 2018 (CAD) are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 31, 2018 for TDIU is denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed before that date.

The Board has granted service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy, left knee disability, right knee disability, gastritis, and bilateral onychomycosis and tinea pedis of the feet. The claims were previously remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's prostate cancer during a specific period.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent rating since September 16, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating is denied. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from January 1, 2019 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD with mood disorder and residuals of prostate cancer were denied, and the case was remanded to obtain additional evidence.,Service connection for hypertension was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits was denied due to lack of personal care services. The Board has decided the case is remanded as there are outstanding development tasks, including an in-home assessment and caregiver training.

The Board has decided that the reduction in the disability rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100 percent to 20 percent, effective May 1, 2020, was improper and has remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound from December 1, 2018 to July 7, 2020 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for left great toe arthritis, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), prostate cancer, hip disability, and skin disability to include skin tags due to issues with obtaining additional opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate and kidney cancers are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to trichloroethylene and land-based operations in Korea.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, effective from January 9, 1962, and ending on June 30, 1976.

The Veteran's death was due to cause of the Veteran's death, which is service-connected under the PACT Act. The prostate cancer that caused his death was presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues with the discontinuance of a 100 percent rating for prostate cancer and to request additional medical evidence regarding the Veteran's current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for asthma, OSA, prostate cancer, and ED due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service exposure to fuel (such as JP-4) or other chemicals encountered during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for further investigation into his claimed exposure to herbicide agents during military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and type II diabetes mellitus are granted as due to herbicide exposure during service.