Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected prostate cancer and its residuals. The Board has ordered further development to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's service on deep-water naval vessels qualifies him for presumptive exposure to herbicides, including those in the territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected because the evidence shows a continuity of symptoms from service until his diagnosis in 2009.

The Veteran's appeal concerning residuals of prostate cancer with painful urination was withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, left hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hernia were denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s back disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post robotic prostatectomy, results in erectile dysfunction but no other residuals, and the prostate cancer is in remission. The voiding dysfunction causes urine leakage, but it does not require the wearing of absorbent material or the use of an appliance. The condition does not cause increased urinary frequency or signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction manifests as loss of erectile function, but without deformity of the penis.,The Veteran’s service-connected scars are not unstable or painful, measure less than 39 square centimeters in total area, are not associated with underlying tissue damage, and result in no functional impairments or disabling effects.,Audiometric testing establishes that the Veteran has had, at worst, level I hearing in the right ear. Audiometric testing also established that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.,While the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active military service, he does not have a left ear hearing disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of evidence of a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for higher level SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for prostate cancer with urinary frequency due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for hypertension and kidney stones are denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer with urinary frequency is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as metastatic prostate cancer, which he did not have service-connected at the time of his death. The Board found no direct or presumptive evidence linking prostate cancer to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2009. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for prostate cancer due to new evidence received since the final denial. The Veteran's diagnosed prostate cancer is found to be related to his in-service chronic prostatitis, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, effective February 1, 2013. The predominant residual following treatment for prostate cancer is a voiding dysfunction that manifests as a daytime voiding interval of between one and two hours.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 60%, and his entitlement to special monthly compensation for housebound status was discontinued. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains unchanged at March 16, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's alleged in-service exposure to herbicides, including his time at Sattahip or Camp Vayama, and during travel from Vietnam to Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an opinion from a specialist regarding the Veteran's claim of prostate cancer caused by exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran will be asked to provide any additional records and may undergo an examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as due to radiation exposure during his military service, is remanded. The Board needs to confirm if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation while aboard the U.S.S. Merapi and obtain a dose assessment and opinion on whether his prostate cancer is related to this exposure.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for prostate cancer and denied SMC at the housebound rate. The claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease was also denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease arose prior to August 18, 2009.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for prostate cancer residuals beginning April 16, 2012. The Veteran's prior 100 percent rating was reduced due to improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is a recognized radiogenic disease, and his exposure to ionizing radiation in service may have caused it. However, the VA needs to obtain more information about his specific exposure and determine if there is at least as likely as not that his prostate cancer resulted from this exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner to determine if the prostate cancer is related to service.