Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service connection claim for prostate cancer is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB). Prostate cancer is presumed to be linked to such exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, thoracic cage blood clots, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for prostate cancer and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle fracture are being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his prostate cancer disability rating from 100 percent to 40 percent was denied. The Veteran also sought an increased rating for his residuals of prostate cancer, which were denied.,A disability rating in excess of 60 percent effective June 8, 2022, for residuals of prostate cancer was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon cancer, scleroderma, Raynaud's disease, and residuals of a gallbladder removal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected prostate cancer residuals was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any urinary leakage or obstructed voiding requiring an appliance or absorbent materials, and thus no higher rating could be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The hypertension rating remains at 30 percent, but the coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease is remanded for further review as it may warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's increased rating for prostate cancer residuals is denied, and the discontinuance of his 100% rating for prostate cancer is upheld.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions in the February 2018 VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear records regarding the Veteran's prostate condition and its relation to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The surviving spouse contends that the Veteran had a prostate condition related to his herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and laryngeal cancer residuals is restored due to his exposure in the territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his service exposure to toxins and chemicals. The case will be reviewed with a new opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted effective as of his date of claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer residuals for further development. The Veteran's dermopathy associated with diabetes mellitus, type 2, and diabetes mellitus are already at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, finding no evidence of a causal link between the condition and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 26, 2021 was denied as the evidence did not support that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of prostate cancer is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 40 percent.