Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are found to be related to his exposure to asbestos during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7528.,The Veteran's DM2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on diabetes requiring one or more daily injections of insulin and restricted diet, or an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet (40 percent).,For diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis.,For diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran is also rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, MGUS, and prostate cancer. Service connection is remanded for thyroid disorder, multiple sclerosis (MS), neurological disorder claimed as Parkinson's disease, GERD, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hand arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease with strain and instability, as well as his prostate cancer, were granted service connection effective April 24, 2018. The Veteran was assigned a 10% rating for the right knee disorder.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for a new medical opinion to consider his complete occupational, family medical, social, and recreational history.

The Board has restored a 100% disability rating for service-connected prostate cancer effective September 1, 2022. The evidence is in balance as to whether the Veteran's prostate cancer remains active.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and unclear dates of service at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's prostate cancer, COPD, multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, and right ankle condition are all being reviewed for potential secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's military service at Rickenbacker AFB.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, CAD, left and right knee disabilities, and psychiatric disorder, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation as of May 24, 2022. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is not granted due to lack of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation as of May 24, 2022. The Board granted the TDIU claim with an effective date of November 29, 2022.

The claims for service connection for bilateral claw foot, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as general anxiety and dysthymic disorder), diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, right knee replacement, and strokes have all been dismissed.,The Veteran's right knee disability was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of prostate cancer was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board also remanded cases involving service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's prostate cancer status post brachytherapy has residuals which manifest as obstructive voiding; post void residuals greater than 150 cc; uroflowmetry; markedly diminished peak flow rate (less than 10 cc/sec); recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to obstruction; or stricture disease requiring periodic dilatation every 2 to 3 months. The evidence of record does not support a compensable rating for the Veteran's residuals prostate cancer status post brachytherapy.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death, and the issues are not addressed as they have become moot.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and skin cancer are remanded for further review based on his in-service exposure to herbicides. The claims will be reconsidered with the presumption of exposure.