Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's prostate cancer: reduction in disability rating, entitlement to a higher rating, and TDIU prior to December 18, 2020. The reasons for remand include insufficient treatment records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed in Bangkok, Thailand and granted service connection for prostate cancer as a presumptive condition due to such exposure.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for prostate cancer, melanoma, diabetes mellitus type II, right leg peripheral neuropathy, and left leg peripheral neuropathy before a decision was made.

The Board has decided that service connection for prostate cancer and its residuals is denied, but the claim of service connection for stroke and its residuals due to exposure at Camp Lejeune is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 13, 2017. After that date, his combined rating was 70 percent and he is no longer unemployable due to the presence of a 100 percent disability rating for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in functional impairments necessitating regular aid and attendance due to inability to keep himself clean and presentable, as well as protection from daily environmental hazards. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the service connection claims for bilateral hand disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headache disability as no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding their onset during service or relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence due to herbicide agent exposure at Fort Drum. The decision is pending further development.

Service connection for skin cancer is denied as the Veteran's current skin cancer disability arose well after service and is not related to herbicide exposure. Service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its relationship to service.,The Veteran's prostate cancer remains in dispute, with a new VA medical opinion needed to consider the impact of asbestos, cosmoline, black oil, and/or JP-5 exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer. The claim will be addressed again with an addendum opinion and additional development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated as 60 percent disabling due to urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day. The erectile dysfunction is rated noncompensable.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on being housebound, as he has multiple service-connected disabilities and no single disability qualifies him for this benefit.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 60% effective March 1, 2015. A 100% rating for prostate cancer residuals is granted starting October 21, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for non-Hodgkins lymphoma and prostate cancer due to potential pre-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information regarding his work history prior to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, skin cancer, testicular cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), back disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient VA examination reports. The Veteran asserts that his current disabilities are causally related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for updated treatment records from Novant Health System and Dr. W.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and stressor verification.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently in remission and does not result in voiding dysfunction or urinary issues. The service connection claims for a respiratory condition (claimed as bronchitis, COPD, emphysema) and kidney cancer are denied due to lack of evidence supporting the onset during service or related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lymph node cancer have all been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the appeals were decided on their merits.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran not filing a motion for reconsideration or appeal within 120 days.