Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to radiation exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, post-radical prostatectomy, has been rated at 20% since September 2017. Over the entire appeal period, a rating of 40 percent for voiding dysfunction requiring absorbent materials changed two to four times per day is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD prior to November 25, 2019 or for prostate cancer from January 13, 2011 to June 2, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service or environmental exposures.

The Board found that the reduction of the prostate cancer rating from 100% to 60% was proper, and denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The RO needs to verify if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Panama from January 1959 through April 1960.

The Board has decided that additional research and development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and radiation while stationed at the U.S. Navy Northeast Cape, St. Lawrence Island Air Force station in Alaska.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to restore service connection for prostate cancer based on herbicide exposure, finding that the original grant was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to lack of Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion to address service connection for the cause of death and other issues related to colon cancer and prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and colon cancer, as they are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran needs additional medical opinions regarding whether his cancers are at least as likely as not caused by this exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 23, 2015, for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 23, 2015, for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied as they were not filed prior to that date. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for residuals of prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence that a claim was filed prior to December 23, 2015. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded as his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis and bladder disorder, but denied service connection for Wegener’s granulomatosis. The claims of service connection for seizures and residuals of prostate cancer are remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and the causes of his death (aspiration pneumonia, malignant spinal cord compression) are not service connected. The Board denied both claims due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer since May 1, 2018, and for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran had service in Guam and his prostate cancer may be related to his active service. However, VA's duty to assist requires a verification of his herbicide exposure and an appropriate examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypertension and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that his hypertension warranted a higher than 10 percent rating, nor did it demonstrate he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service, and requests additional development including obtaining an assessment of the size and nature of any potential radiation dose.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his failure to submit a completed VA Form 21-8940. The Board is remanding the case for another attempt to secure this form and any other necessary information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer, caused his death. The Board has determined that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2010. Therefore, the claim for TDIU prior to that date is denied.