Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and skin cancer (melanoma) as claimed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service herbicide exposure or a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a permanent and total disability rating for prostate cancer, which the Board granted.

The Veteran's claims for migraines, gastrointestinal disorders, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed or remanded.,A new claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disorder has been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in recognized herbicide presumptive areas and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to uncertainty about the specific dates of all periods of Active Duty Training and Indefinite Non-Training Duty (ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA) in the Veteran's Reserve service. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent testicular disability and prostate disability due to insufficient examination reports and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The Veteran must provide additional medical records, and an examination is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer based on the PACT Act, which presumes exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right ankle disability, prostate cancer residuals, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), and cholecystectomy residuals due to further development being necessary. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, prepare an ILER, schedule a TERA examination if appropriate, and provide VA examinations and medical opinions as needed.

All appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for prostate cancer has been granted due to exposure to chemicals in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to several issues, including a reduction in his disability rating for prostate cancer and an issue regarding TDIU prior to July 7, 2020. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional examinations to determine the cause of his claimed symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for prostate cancer is being remanded due to concerns about the competency of the May 2023 VA examiner. The maximum rating has not been assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has found that further development is required before adjudication of the service connection claims can proceed. The Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records and VA treatment records from Monroeville, VA Outpatient Clinic need to be obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for prostate cancer, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, left knee chondromalacia patella, and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of service connection for a hip condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure during his active duty from December 1965 to October 1969. The AOJ must make further efforts to obtain all relevant records and determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal remains pending as he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement with the initial rating for hemorrhoids. The AOJ needs to issue an SOC addressing this matter.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, and prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye disorder, and prostate cancer due to incomplete information from VA Forms 21-4142 submitted by the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and tinnitus should be remanded due to a lack of issuance of an SOC.