Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of prostate cancer as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, effective since June 1, 2013. The Veteran's voiding dysfunction requires the use of absorbent materials which must be changed more than four times per day.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer has been dismissed. The issue of service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing from appellate status prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to prostate cancer, which the Board found to be associated with herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are granted. The VA is directed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if his hypertension, PTSD, sleep apnea, loss of teeth, pulmonary edema, and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer residuals due to a lack of VA treatment records from November 2013 to December 2016, as well as ongoing medical records. A VA examination is also needed to clarify whether the Veteran's right testicle disability is related to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, neck condition, and degenerative arthritis of the spine were denied as there was no evidence of service connection or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied effective dates prior to February 15, 2019, for the grants of service connection for prostate cancer and osseous metastatic disease as there was no pending claim or intent to file a claim before that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure and other chemical exposures, and a VA medical examination is needed to determine if prostate cancer is related to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals resulted in a daytime voiding interval of less than one hour and awakening to void three to four times per night from October 15, 2014 to December 28, 2016. The use of absorbent materials was not required during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking his early onset prostate cancer to his Gulf War service or exposure to oil well fires. The Board also found that the Veteran's age and family history were more likely causes of his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there was no service connection for the conditions that caused his death, and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, radiation cystitis, urethritis and urethral stricture have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective January 30, 2019, his service-connected radiation proctitis has also been rated as 60 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, and thus service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by PTSD, which the Board found to be related to an in-service assault. The appeal is granted as service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is established.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was restored to a 100% rating from March 1, 2016. However, the 100% rating was reduced to 60% for residuals of prostate cancer on December 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain private medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disorder, prostate cancer, and back disorder as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed in Takhli, Thailand. The initial rating for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability. Service connection for prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure is also remanded.