Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer as there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Veteran's claim is not supported by competent medical evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and depression, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's death was due to liver failure, but the cause of his service-connected conditions is unclear. The Board finds that remand is necessary as the VA medical opinion did not adequately address the role of diabetes and other service-connected conditions in causing the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 31, 2019, for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure. The earliest possible effective date is July 31, 2019, the date of receipt of his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service.,There is no current diagnosis of tinnitus in the Veteran.,Prostate cancer was not related to service, and there is no benefit of doubt to resolve in favor of the Veteran.,Neither foot disorder has been diagnosed as a current condition.,The Veteran's prostate cancer does not meet the criteria for an initial rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of prostate cancer has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as presumptively related to his service in Southwest Asia. The right knee osteoarthritis claim was denied, but the Veteran received a 50% disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorders starting October 1, 2019 and TDIU from December 18, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's duty as a truck driver put him in frequent contact with the perimeter of Korat RTAFB where Agent Orange was sprayed. As a result, his exposure to herbicides is presumed and he is entitled to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of verification regarding herbicide/pesticide exposure during service. The Veteran's Social Security Administration benefits records must be obtained, and efforts should be made to verify any reported exposure to these agents.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's service did not involve duty or visitation to the Republic of Vietnam and thus he was not exposed to herbicide agents. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was diagnosed on April 28, 2016, and an effective date of April 20, 2016 is granted for the award of service connection. The Veteran's claim for an enlarged prostate prior to diagnosis is not addressed as it does not pertain to the current appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are remanded due to incomplete verification of his exposure to herbicide agents during service. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated medical records and verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and a benign brain tumor are being remanded due to inadequate development regarding exposure to environmental hazards during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder and prostate cancer, finding no new evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are granted due to herbicide exposure. The claim for hypothyroidism is denied as it did not manifest during service or be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. The Veteran is granted a 40% rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy, but the right lower extremity radiculopathy claim remains at a 20% rating.

The Board denied readjudication of the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and relevant evidence. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus type 2, prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to prostate cancer.