Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent, and there is no evidence of active malignancy or renal dysfunction. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Erectile dysfunction is already rated at its maximum of 0 percent, with no additional impairment found. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Hypertension is currently rated at the minimum available rating of 10 percent and there is no evidence of diastolic or systolic pressures meeting the thresholds required for higher ratings under Code 7101. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's prostatectomy scar, which developed into a keloid, is rated at its minimum available rating of 0 percent due to its small size (4 square centimeters). The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the claimed herbicide agent exposure in Japan. The Board will conduct further development to verify the Veteran's exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease due to potential exposure to firefighting foam, diesel oil, and fumes during military service. A VA medical opinion is needed to assess whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) during his service in Thailand, which falls under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his prostate cancer residuals and for adjudication of his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits from February 22, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer in remission status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of July 15, 2019, February 6, 2019, and March 29, 2019 respectively. These conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) in Thailand during the Vietnam era.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was initially denied in June 2002 and became final. The Veteran filed a new Intent to File on February 6, 2019, which led to his claims being reopened and granted with an effective date of February 6, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate and bladder cancers were granted a 100% rating effective October 19, 2022. The earlier claim for increased rating is granted.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent initial evaluation for prostate cancer, effective May 9, 2022. The rating will continue for the six months following the completion of treatment in July 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding his prostate cancer and subsequent treatment, including erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic prostate problems and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce the evaluation of his service-connected prostate cancer from 100% to zero percent is dismissed because the August 2023 rating decision was not a final decision and did not result in any reduction in compensation payments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an etiological opinion regarding whether the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his active service, specifically his exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner must provide such an opinion.

The Board has vacated the denial of TDIU due to inaccurate evidence, and since May 1, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as they are related to a deceased appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is also unclear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his active-duty service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's prostate cancer was caused by his time at Ellsworth Air Force Base where he worked with herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the proper adjudication of this and other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and skin cancer were denied as they are not considered to be related to his active duty service.