Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The effective dates are set at September 3, 2020, as the earliest date an Intent to File was received by VA.

The Veteran's application for TDIU was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is denied. The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft is denied. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for residual surgical scar anterior chest is denied.

The Veteran's prostate condition, including both prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy, is granted as service-connected. A disability rating of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine is also granted from December 9, 2013, to July 14, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no in-service injury or disease, and the evidence does not show a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction associated with chronic prostatitis was denied. The service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and ED, is granted.,TDIU from March 1, 2023, is granted, but TDIU from December 22, 2021 to March 1, 2023, was denied. The discontinuance of the 100% rating for prostate cancer as of March 1, 2023, and a rating of over 60% for prostate cancer residuals with status post prostatectomy are also addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there is no causal relationship between his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his prostate cancer. The evidence did not support a nexus between the two.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and a resulting prostatectomy, attributing the denial to insufficient evidence linking the conditions to active military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the reduction of the rating for prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and the discontinuance of SMC based on Statutory Housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and metastatic prostate cancer to the bone due to additional development being needed. Specifically, verification of in-service exposure to herbicides is required, and a medical opinion on the relationship between in-service toxic exposures and the Veteran's current conditions is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving at Clark AFB, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer residuals due to herbicide exposure is denied because there was no credible evidence of in-service exposure and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder and prostate cancer have been granted increased ratings, effective November 8, 2023. The Veteran also received earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence addressing all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 22, 2018 for service connection of prostate cancer is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, DJD of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the cervical spine are granted service connection. Service connection for prostate cancer is also granted due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange during his Vietnam War service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer and bladder cancer due to potential outstanding VA or private medical records, as well as a need for an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for secondary disabilities related to his prostate cancer residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional development.