Prostate cancer decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), and prostate cancer have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of increased evaluations for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and SMC for loss of creative organ.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease (including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, status post coronary stenting, and congestive heart failure) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's deployment in Korea.

The appeal to reduce the disability rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 20% is dismissed as a matter of law because the April 2020 proposed reduction was not a final agency action.

The Veteran's liver disability is not rated higher than the current 0 percent rating due to lack of specific symptoms warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating based on his symptoms and occupational/social impairment.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, currently rated at 40 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating due to lack of specific symptoms warranting such an increase.

Your claim for service connection for prostate cancer has been granted, effective January 17, 2019. However, since the claim was already resolved in your favor, there is no longer a case or controversy to address.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and renal failure due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS Catskill.

The Board has found that the Veteran's skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, are service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, chronic lymphoid leukemia, polycythemia vera, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), erectile dysfunction, and incontinence have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposure during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records for some conditions and the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions, considering potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's bladder disorder, status-post bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and renal deficiency are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of prostate cancer, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to link his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the failure of the RO to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer disability. The case must be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, kidney disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and dementia. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection as related to herbicide agent exposure while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied. The Veteran does not qualify for DEA benefits prior to his current effective date of March 25, 2019. SMC based on housebound criteria was granted as of that same date.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for basic eligibility to DEA benefits is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria at the time of his TDIU award and thus cannot qualify for DEA benefits prior to March 25, 2019.,SMC based on housebound criteria was granted as of March 25, 2019.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 1, 2020. The Veteran has been rated at 80% disability due to his service-connected disabilities (prostate cancer and coronary artery disease). He is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2018. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or ionizing radiation and noting that his STRs were void of any treatment for, diagnosis of, or complaints of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and the need for further verification of his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the September 2021 decision on appeal, including failing to recognize or act on a pending request for substitution by the Appellant.