Prostate cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is granted, with the latter being granted under the PACT Act. The former is also granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore he did not meet the criteria for non-service-connected burial benefits. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty at the time of discharge.

The Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate is granted from May 1, 2011 to August 12, 2022 due to having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and other disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer, brain cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient development regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer under the PACT Act, but remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to potential lack of evidence supporting a nexus to service.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, characterized by a voiding dysfunction with a need for absorbent material that must be changed more than 4 times per day, have been rated at the highest possible level under the schedular. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence to support an evaluation in excess of 60 percent.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Memorial Hospital from April 13, 2006 to April 21, 2006 due to lack of prior authorization and failure to meet the criteria for emergency treatment. Payment was granted for services on April 12, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features contributed to his cause of death. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions to address this issue.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 31, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him since approximately January 31, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thyroid conditions, heart conditions, and testicular seminoma claimed as prostate cancer due to inadequate examinations and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and failure to apply the requirements of 38 U.S.C. § 1116B(a)(2) regarding presumptive service connection for those who served in or near the DMZ from September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury related to his current condition during service and that it did not manifest within one year of separation. The evidence also did not show continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer on a direct basis, as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or other in-service incurrence. The Veteran's lay statements were not considered sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and metastasis of carcinoma of the prostate into the cervical region due to herbicide agent exposure, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's personal contact with Agent Orange at Fort Gordon from February to May 1967.

The Veteran's initial 100% disability rating for prostate cancer prior to December 11, 2012 is granted. The decision concludes that the Veteran was not provided with a required VA examination at the end of six months following cessation of medical treatment as per Diagnostic Code 7528.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus II, BUE and BLE peripheral neuropathy, skin cancer, xerosis of forearms, demodex folliculitis, and actinic keratosis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military records show he received combat pay, but further research is needed to determine if this indicates exposure to herbicides.

Service connection is granted for atrial fibrillation, prostate cancer, hypertension, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection is also granted for left knee instability (left leg spasms), right knee instability (right leg spasms), left knee strain (left lower extremity pain), and right knee strain (right lower extremity pain).,Service connection is further granted for left olecranon bursitis (left arm pain) and right olecranon bursitis (right arm pain).

The Board has remanded the claim for prostate cancer due to insufficient compliance with a prior remand directive. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is presumed to have exposed him to herbicide agents, which are linked to prostate cancer. However, an addendum opinion from an oncologist is needed to address the submitted medical literature and the Veteran's chronic inflammation, high-grade PIN, and PIRADS 3 score.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for prostate cancer residuals, but has remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.