Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Board has found a duty to assist error occurred and remands the case for further examination to differentiate between symptoms due to service-connected prostate cancer and non-service-connected neurogenic bladder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis and do not render him housebound, thus his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and/or by being housebound is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and coronary artery disease are granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during the appeal period, leading to a denial of his claim for total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The rating reduction from 100 percent to 10 percent for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer, effective May 1, 2021, was proper. The Veteran's disability rating is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected prostate cancer residuals.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected prostate cancer residuals from June 1, 2018.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 1, 2016. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and an examination to evaluate the severity of his prostate cancer.

The appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues regarding a higher rating for voiding dysfunction and an earlier effective date for SMC.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability as it was not intended by the Veteran.,The Board denied the request to revise or reverse the September 2016 rating decision regarding prostate cancer on grounds of CUE, finding no evidence of duty-to-assist error and that the claim should have been granted at the outset.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for prostate cancer in remission is being remanded due to an error in obtaining relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer is granted due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for higher rating of acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU remains pending as the Veteran has not completed the necessary forms.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's claims were based on secondary service connection due to exposure to herbicides during active duty, but the evidence did not support a finding of such exposure or a link between his conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for prostate cancer due to new evidence provided by the Veteran and requests for consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability and prostate disability due to incomplete records, including a lack of STRs from his Army Reserve and National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to verify any in-service herbicide exposure allegations, obtain all relevant medical treatment records, and request authorization for non-VA medical providers.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected conditions, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing he is bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and its residuals are remanded for further review due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion on the issue of service connection.

The Veteran is awarded a TDIU for prostate cancer and SMC from April 28, 2020, to September 1, 2020.,From September 1, 2020, the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability alone precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on his PTSD alone and SMC at the housebound rate due to additional disabilities totaling at least 60 percent.,The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate as of January 11, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.