Prostate cancer decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and residuals of prostatectomy due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran was not found to have been exposed to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Constellation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, prostate cancer residuals, and PTSD have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer residuals is set at January 3, 2018. A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for prostate cancer residuals has been denied. The September 2015 rating decision assigning an initial 30 percent disability rating for PTSD was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as the effective date of his award must be reconsidered due to a change in the applicable regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory and prostate conditions, as they are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide addendum opinions from a qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents near the Korean DMZ, and a VA examination is needed if service connection for prostate cancer residuals is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service and whether his current conditions are related to such exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, with prostate cancer being presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The decision also grants secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction as it is related to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, heart disability, prostate cancer, and left hip osteopenia as secondary to prostate cancer. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran did not have qualifying wartime service, and thus does not meet the requirements for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and bilateral scrotal orchiectomy render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to urinary incontinence, which requires frequent diaper changes.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and hypothyroidism, finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury, lack of exposure to herbicides during service, and insufficient medical evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, effective December 1, 2020. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and the VA examination findings.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC were denied, while the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for sleep apnea was also denied.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for his prostate cancer residuals and related bladder disorder, effective December 19, 2018. The decision also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and ratings related to PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for a TDIU has been granted, as well as basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer residuals is dismissed as it attempts to reopen a final rating decision, which is not allowed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes are granted as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.