Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period from January 18, 2008 to August 9, 2009 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and resulting erectile dysfunction are granted service connection. The Veteran's brain tumor, loss of smell, and loss of taste are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, which was initially rated at 100% prior to February 10, 2020 and then reduced to 20%, is now rated at 60% effective February 10, 2020. The rating reduction from 20% to 40% is based on the Veteran's voiding dysfunction which required absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent since December 2, 2016. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of prostate cancer prior to October 17, 2016, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the severity of his residuals did not warrant a higher rating at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board has awarded an effective date of December 31, 2009 for the award of a schedular TDIU.,VA policy is to grant a TDIU in all cases where service-connected disabilities preclude gainful employment, regardless of the percentage evaluations. However, the Veteran's claim must be referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Services for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board restored the Veteran's 100% rating for prostate cancer effective March 1, 2015. The earlier effective date of March 1, 2015 is granted for SMC at the housebound rate and TDIU from February 6, 2008 to September 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder and prostate cancer due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions. The AOJ is directed to obtain relevant records from Augusta VAMC, request an addendum opinion on prostate cancer, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as a result of presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to address the Veteran's complaints of abdominal pain, bladder pain, and dysuria.

The Veteran is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from June 1, 2015 due to service-connected prostate cancer and radiation proctitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (as secondary to a psychiatric disability), and prostate cancer are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Gordon and to obtain an opinion regarding whether his heart condition constitutes ischemic heart disease.

The appeal for an increased rating for urinary incontinence and frequency, residuals of prostate cancer is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of gonorrhea have been denied. The claim for recurrent gastritis has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent prior to April 26, 2016. He is also granted TDIU prior to that date and SMC due to being housebound since June 29, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding exposure to radiation and service connection for prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran's prostate cancer is being evaluated under a new theory of reopening on new evidence.

The appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer was granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The matter is now to be reviewed again with a request for verification from the JSRRC.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of a nexus to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.