Prostate cancer decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at a 60 percent disability evaluation from November 1, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for incurable prostate cancer, service connection for ED as secondary to prostate cancer, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance have all been granted.,The decision is subject to applicable laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to his death.

The Veteran's onychomycosis of the bilateral toes is granted as service connected. The claim for prostate cancer, linked to herbicide and environmental exposure during service, remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, increased ratings for sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement and skin, and evaluations for bilateral visual field contraction due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a rating of 60 percent for prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, with residual urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction is denied. The Board finds that the earliest date factually ascertainable on which the Veteran's urinary incontinence disability first manifested was January 14, 2022.

The decision on fees is remanded due to an error in not documenting the past-due benefits awarded from the July 15, 2024 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Panama and Fort Lewis, Washington. The Veteran's prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation with chest symptoms and elevated D-dimer, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension are currently diagnosed.

The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed, and the claim for prostate cancer is remanded.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected impaired sphincter control status post radiation therapy for prostate cancer, finding that extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements warrant this increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his active service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused significant occupational impairment, rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 5, 2011. The Board grants a TDIU from that date onward.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 27, 2023, for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer with prostatic hypertrophy is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and incomplete research on his exposure history.

The Board is remanding the claims for OSA, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and urinary condition due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during service, particularly while stationed at Camp Carroll Depot in Korea. A new medical opinion is needed to address whether any current conditions are related to military service.

The appeal for service connection of prostate cancer was dismissed due to a lack of a valid Notice of Disagreement filed by the Veteran or his representative.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, abdominal scar secondary to these conditions, ED secondary to prostate cancer, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has found that the AOJ failed to request private treatment records related to the Veteran's prostate cancer, including from Dr. Dean and Dr. Spierer at AZ Sports Medicine and City of Hope respectively. The matter is REMANDED for requesting these records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his genitourinary disability, claimed as prostate cancer. The Veteran also has an ongoing left hip osteoarthritis with hip replacement that requires further evaluation.