Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left deltoid squamous cell carcinoma in situ (claimed as skin cancer) is granted from February 3, 2022, to September 15, 2023. After that date, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent and his TDIU and SMC claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death has been dismissed as he was granted service connection in a May 2022 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer/lymph nodes associated with prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, has also been dismissed. The AOJ granted service connection based on herbicide exposure and assigned a 100 percent rating effective March 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient development regarding exposure to herbicides or service in Vietnam. The RO is instructed to make all appropriate efforts to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam while serving in the Marine Corps from June 1972 to June 1976, and whether bases in Okinawa used herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for a right shoulder disorder and higher ratings for lower back strain with degenerative changes. The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded due to exposure to burn pits. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current diagnosed conditions and his military service, including exposure to contamination or toxins. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was received by VA on April 15, 2022. The Board granted the claim and assigned an effective date of April 15, 2022.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as a result of in-service herbicide exposure. The bilateral ankle disorder claim is remanded due to duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and a reproductive system disorder (urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction) as secondary to the now-service-connected prostate cancer, based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, including as secondary to prostate cancer. The decision is pending further development of his service records and verification of herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for prostate cancer as there is insufficient evidence regarding his exposure claims and further development is needed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, metastatic bone cancer, and metastatic lymph node cancer are all granted service connection for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's brain tumor, which caused his death in July 2014, is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's prostate cancer and enlarged prostate are denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service toxic exposures. The issues of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer as there was no evidence linking the condition to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100 percent evaluation, and he is also awarded SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer must be readjudicated based on new and relevant evidence. The case is REMANDED for further development by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, and chronic kidney disease due to herbicide agent exposure are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for hypertension under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer (due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune), erectile dysfunction, and overactive bladder. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of current evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence and because he did not provide private treatment records or attend his VA examinations. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but missed his VA examinations.