Prostate cancer decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence does not support a finding of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to toxic contaminants, specifically burn pits from his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claim is based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records from VA and private sources.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for prostate cancer in remission from January 29, 2014 to August 12, 2021 and for a rating in excess of 40 percent beginning on August 12, 2021. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the appeal period from January 29, 2014 to September 17, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all claims due to a full grant of benefits in January and May 2023 rating decisions.

The Board remands the claim for a compensable rating for prostate cancer to correct a duty to assist error and obtain an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied, with the Board finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is found to have contributed to his death, granting service connection for the cause of death. DIC benefits are denied as the Veteran was not continuously rated totally disabled at the time of his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, lung disability (IPF), kidney disease, and IBS are remanded due to new evidence submitted after the prior final rating decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for Meniere's disease and remanded the claim for prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression secondary to prostate cancer is granted as of July 13, 2020.

The Board denied a compensable rating for prostate cancer for the period from July 24, 2018, to June 4, 2023, as there was no evidence of symptoms such as increased urinary frequency or obstructed voiding.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and hypertension as they require further development under the PACT Act.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in disability rating from 100% to 20% for service-connected prostate cancer and related conditions due to it being a mere proposal without actionable effect.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer, as well as SMC at the housebound rate and TDIU were denied. The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits or substitution due to the absence of pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's prostate cancer is secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia, cocaine use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and unspecified neurocognitive disorder. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's skin disability is related to service and granted. The claims for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids, diverticular disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, gall bladder disability, and hernia are denied.

The Veteran's earlier effective dates for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ have been granted.,Prostate cancer was granted due to presumed exposure under the Blue Water Navy Act. Erectile dysfunction is considered a known complication of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and prostate cancer are being remanded due to an error in determining his eligibility under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.