Prostate cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is denied since April 30, 2024, as he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected disabilities and their combined effect.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and diabetes are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides in the Korean DMZ. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. However, asthma cannot be linked to herbicide exposure and thus denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to inextricably intertwined issues, including his appeal of service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer was granted under the PACT Act effective August 10, 2022. The Board denied an earlier effective date as service connection can only be shown in accordance with the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction service connection, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ are denied. The earliest date entitlement arose is August 1, 2023.

The Veteran's eligibility for transfer of educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to his dependent spouse was denied due to failure to meet his service commitment prior to his obligated projected end date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to properly consider the Veteran's exposure claims under the PACT Act and to obtain an updated TERA memorandum. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and hypertension, effective August 10, 2022. The initial disability ratings for prostate cancer, ED, left side speech changes, right side speech changes, stooped posture left side, stooped posture right side, loss of automatic movements on the left side, and loss of automatic movements on the right side have been granted.,The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for various conditions. The claim for service connection for cardiac stenosis was also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension beginning August 10, 2022, due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. The effective date is not specified as it falls within a presumptive period.,Service connection has also been granted for prostate cancer beginning August 10, 2022, due to presumed exposure under the PACT Act. The effective date is not specified as it falls within a presumptive period.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 7, 2021 for the award of service connection for neoplasms of the male reproductive system including prostate cancer. The decision is based on a sympathetic interpretation of the Veteran's informal claim dated September 7, 2021.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has remanded the case for further development regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer, specifically whether it is related to his service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE).

The Veteran's dermatofibrosarcoma, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer are granted as presumptively linked to herbicide exposure. The bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted as secondary to the service-connected multiple myeloma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for additional evidence regarding exposure to hazardous chemicals during service.

The appeal for service connection of residuals of prostate cancer is dismissed. The appeal for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, both of which are diseases eligible for presumptive service connection due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including missing treatment records and failure to schedule a contemporaneous examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer status post robotic prostatectomy is also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. As a result, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. Additional deck logs are needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed in areas where herbicide agent exposure is presumed.