Prostate cancer decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer prior to February 22, 2017, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of voiding dysfunction requiring absorbent materials changed two to four times per day or daytime voiding intervals less than an hour.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of prostate cancer, and a right knee disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claims are supported by evidence showing in-service noise exposure and service treatment records documenting injuries to the knees.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for bladder cancer and prostate cancer residuals from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective May 1, 2022, was proper. The Veteran is not entitled to restoration of a 100 percent rating as his condition does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 100% disability rating for service-connected status-post prostate cancer is dismissed because the July 2024 proposed reduction decision was not a final agency action.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for prostate cancer due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement filed in October 2024, which was more than one year after the January 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance due to lack of permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 60 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are granted due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including during a training exercise near the Korean DMZ.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer and its relation to his in-service exposure to radiation while serving on a nuclear-powered submarine.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 60 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to a mandatory claims processing rule deficiency. The appeal was not timely filed within one year of the November 2020 and December 2021 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear reasons and bases in the denial letter, as well as a need for clarification of eligibility criteria. The decision will be reconsidered under appropriate criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA medical opinion and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for prostate cancer residuals with urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence (leakage) and entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's residuals post prostate cancer are rated at 40 percent, effective May 28, 2020. The appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, stating that the appellant did not submit a claim within one year of her husband's death and that VA regulations do not allow for an earlier effective date based on justice or equity.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination, and requests that any evidence not considered by the AOJ be reconsidered.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was originally rated at 100% prior to November 1, 2017. The reduction from 100% to 20% effective November 1, 2017 and to 40% effective August 9, 2022 was improper, so the rating is restored to 100% beginning November 1, 2017.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are manifested by urinary frequency with awakening to void two times per night, warranting a 10 percent rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer due to toxic exposure, as it is unclear if he was exposed to herbicide agents or other toxins during service at Fort Drum or Fort Jackson. The AOJ must attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported exposures and provide a formal finding if such evidence cannot be obtained.