Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and coronary artery disease as these conditions are not etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer is denied. The claims for increased PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, treatment records, and verification of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure. His erectile dysfunction, which he contends was caused by his prostate cancer, is also granted as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to the lack of evidence linking his terminal conditions to service. DIC benefits were also denied as he did not meet the criteria for continuous total disability rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, in remission residuals of radiation therapy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that the rating decision on appeal was not complete due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records prior to issuing the decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating has been reduced from 100 percent to 10 percent disabling effective August 1, 2021. The Board is remanding the case due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. The Veteran's duties as a security augmentee placed him near the perimeter of Takhli AB, which is considered sufficient exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and sphincter impairment ratings were reduced, but the SMC at the housebound rate was discontinued. The Board found that a restoration of the 60 percent rating for sphincter impairment is warranted due to continued extensive leakage and frequent bowel movements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU from February 8, 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the PACT Act of 2022 grants service connection for this condition as of October 1, 2022.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, particularly regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his exposure history and dose estimates, as well as inextricably intertwined issues.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer has been dismissed as the claim was granted in a recent rating decision. The appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, skin disability (alopecia), heart disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's prostate disability is rated as noncompensable due to lack of evidence of renal dysfunction or voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's voiding dysfunction is granted a 20 percent rating from February 1, 2021 to April 27, 2021. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and follicular lymphoma are denied higher ratings.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was partially granted. The rating for voiding dysfunction of prostate cancer residuals was denied prior to August 1, 2022, but a higher rating is granted beginning on that date. Service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure during service was granted. A remand was ordered for further evaluation of PTSD symptoms and erectile dysfunction.