Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for hypertension is granted, and a higher rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 60 percent, effective September 1, 2010, was proper. The Veteran's residuals are currently rated at 60 percent and there is no basis on which to assign a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and anemia, finding that the evidence supports a link to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and tricuspid valve regurgitation are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, radiation proctitis, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ is instructed to verify these exposures and provide a formal finding if necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to asbestos and toxic fumes. The issues of PVD of the bilateral lower extremities and vertigo are also being remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as it is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The claims for left and right leg disorders are remanded as the VA medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and tinnitus due to the absence of current disabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development regarding bilateral hearing loss and residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is remanded for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of the impact on employment. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the prostate cancer claim.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection and increased ratings, except for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD from August 30, 2013 onward. The Veteran was also granted TDIU effective January 6, 2011.

The appeal regarding the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to outstanding terminal records from Beaumont Hospital Dearborn. The DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied as there is no legal basis for such benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The diabetes mellitus appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence of regulation of activities, while the prostate cancer appeal remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity frostbite residuals, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, prostate cancer, and left finger disability are all granted service connection. The prostate cancer is not due to service, while the left finger disability may be due to a non-service-connected cervical spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for prostate, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, and skin cancers of the nose and other skin conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed at Camp Casey and the proximity of Camp Casey to the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, chloracne, fungus of the hands and feet, and PTSD are being remanded due to new evidence potentially connecting these conditions to in-service exposure. The AOJ will determine if U.S.S. KEARSARGE (CVS 33) was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during relevant time periods.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 27, 2015 was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim filed prior to that date and it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within the one-year period preceding the date of claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain treatment records, conduct examinations, and provide opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions and their relationship to in-service noise exposure.