Prostate cancer decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received to readjudicate the claim of service connection for prostate cancer. The Veteran's current diagnosis of prostate cancer, along with a November 1964 STR noting urinary issues, testicular pain, and possible cystitis, supports the need for a VA examination to determine if his prostate cancer is related to his active service or otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to AFFF containing PFAS, and his basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted with effective dates of January 16, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer and its relation to exposure to radiation during service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residual scars status/post prostatectomy associated with prostate cancer, but the Board finds that October 18, 2022, is the correct date.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, and the Board finds that August 17, 2020, is the correct date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of March 18, 2014.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent, and there is no legal basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to a finding that he did not meet the criteria for personal care services, as his medical and functional assessments indicated he could manage his own daily activities and medications without assistance.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for erectile dysfunction and loss of use of a creative organ, service connection for anemia, and increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran's initial rating for anemia was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer all claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran's prostate cancer has been in remission and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on urinary frequency or urinary leakage.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a compensable rating for hypertension as moot due to concurrent adjudication and granting of the rating. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unemployable. SMC for aid and attendance is also granted due to the Veteran's need for substantial assistance from his husband.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), prostate cancer and residuals, and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection has also been granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to DMII.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. PTSD, prostate cancer, neck condition, and fragment wound, left leg are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death. No effective date has been assigned.

The Veteran's service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension, right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of October 25, 2018. The Veteran's service connection for erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer residuals have also been granted.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his diabetes-related conditions and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran challenges the calculation of his monetary award following a January 2024 rating decision that decreased his evaluation for voiding dysfunction from 100% to 60%. The appeal is denied as the compensation amount was correctly calculated based on VA laws and regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer and bladder cancer due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran's assertions of asbestos exposure are being researched, and a supplemental VA opinion is needed to address his lay contentions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for recognition of permanency and totality of prostate cancer and left iliac bone cancer disabilities, which are currently rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base.