Prostate cancer decisions — 2024

The Board has found a duty to assist error in the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer rating from 100% to 20%, and thus remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and TDIU are being remanded due to a regulatory duty that must be satisfied, regardless of the Compensation Service's findings. The Under Secretary for Health will need to provide a dose estimate based on available methodologies regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to toxic exposure, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and prostate cancer. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to exposure to toxins during service.

The Veteran's lung cancer (respiratory cancer) claim is denied as there is no clinical diagnosis of the condition. The prostate cancer (reproductive cancer) claim is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure in Kuwait. The erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service-connected prostate cancer.,The Veteran's lung cancer (respiratory cancer) claim is denied as there is no clinical diagnosis of the condition. The prostate cancer (reproductive cancer) claim is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure in Kuwait. The erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II and its associated erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the creative organ are granted with effective dates of February 7, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has hobbies that suggest he is capable of performing tasks in a storage unit business.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer to the ribs and spine are granted service connection due to herbicide exposure during his active military service. The Board found that the Veteran touched ground in Vietnam, presumptively exposed him to herbicides, and thus his prostate cancer is presumed caused by that exposure.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are rated at a 20 percent rating effective February 28, 2023. The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis post TKR is rated at 30 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for prostate cancer due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's exposure to certain substances during service and his current prostate cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code, and remanded other claims related to character of discharge and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The effective dates are not specified as the claims were filed prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer, arthritis of the spine, arthritis of the right wrist, and residuals of right hip replacement as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 25, 2019, for the award of service connection for surgical scars associated with service-connected prostate cancer residuals has been granted. The Veteran also received a grant of service connection for prostate cancer residuals and related disabilities, but his initial compensable rating for these conditions remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer on a facts found basis due to herbicide exposure during service, and denied the claim of direct service connection. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure in Vietnam, and his voiding dysfunction and erectile dysfunction are also granted as secondary to the prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer due to a lack of relevant medical records. The Veteran's other claims for knee and peripheral neuropathy disabilities are granted based on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for prostate cancer, PTSD, hypothyroidism, tremors, and a bilateral knee disorder due to their connection with issues pending before the RO. The appellant's claims for accrued benefits and service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death will be reconsidered once these intertwined issues are resolved.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 27, 2015 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran also received effective dates for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his active duty service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate and kidney cancers may be related to his service, but further medical examination is needed to establish this relationship.