Prostate cancer decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's prostate cancer was caused by his service-connected varicocele. The cause of death is also under consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of deviated nasal septum, epistaxis, atrial fibrillation, and prostate cancer with urinary incontinence as they were filed more than one year after the last rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to multiple conditions including prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to a failure to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for prostate cancer and a TDIU are remanded due to duty to assist errors. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed, including Social Security earning statements and retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon polyps and a rating greater than 10 percent for a nonlinear scar on the waist/left hip due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's prostate cancer is also service connected, complicating the secondary service connection claim.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran does not have any renal dysfunction or urinary tract infections and his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and residuals of cerebral infarction. The Veteran's now service-connected disabilities are found to be contributory causes of his death. Additionally, the Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were reduced from a 100% rating to a 60% rating effective January 1, 2021. The Board has granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) from the same date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for prostate cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer and voiding dysfunction is granted, with the prostate cancer being granted on a basis other than as a presumptive condition pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,A 70 percent rating, but not higher, was granted for PTSD. The Veteran's occupational and social impairment due to PTSD is considered most severe at this level.,An initial 40 percent rating, but not higher, was granted for prostate cancer. The Veteran requires absorbent materials that must be changed four times per day due to urinary incontinence.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a heart disability on either direct or secondary aggravation basis and remanded the issue.,The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a right knee disability on either direct or secondary aggravation basis and remanded the issue.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of July 3, 2023. This decision is based on the liberalizing law from the PACT Act and the fact that all service-connected disabilities contributing to TDIU arose from a common etiology (toxic exposure risk activities).

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer and bladder cancer are granted as they are presumed due to herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder aggravated by prostate cancer is granted. The claim for increased rating for erectile dysfunction is denied, and the claims for right ankle disability, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and right knee strain are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer residuals and obstructive sleep apnea are denied. The OSA claim is remanded due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer due to a lack of evidence supporting exposure to Agent Orange or other toxic substances during his service in Panama. The Board found that there was no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer with bladder cancer and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from January 1, 2021. The combined disability rating is at least 60 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU and SMC.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically while in the territorial waters of Guam aboard the USS Chicago. This decision is based on the PACT Act.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the AOJ in failing to take appropriate steps to verify the Veteran's claim of herbicide agent exposure. The appeal is remanded for further action regarding service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer with residuals and COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.