Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Veteran's prostate cancer was rated at 20 percent prior to September 9, 2008. The RO has now determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his prostate cancer from September 9, 2008.,For the period on appeal prior to September 9, 2008, the Veteran's prostate cancer was at worst manifested by voiding dysfunction. The RO has now determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his prostate cancer from September 9, 2008.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, from October 1968 to October 1969.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, lung cancer, hypertension, brain aneurysm, irregular heartbeat, headaches, and sleep disturbance are not supported by the evidence of record. The conditions have either no direct link to military service or do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for temporary total rating, service connection for COPD, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depression was not addressed as it involves issues referred to another RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitates a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, esophageal cancer, and prostate cancer as related to in-service asbestos exposure. Bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including verification of exposure and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his prostate cancer, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and eye disability.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, status-post radical prostatectomy, have been rated as 10 percent disabling from July 29, 2004 to July 16, 2006 and as 40 percent disabling from July 17, 2006. The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer are currently evaluated at the maximum available rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction associated with the condition have been denied as there is no evidence supporting higher disability ratings based on current symptoms.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and PTSD. Diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Prostate cancer is also presumed as it is linked to the same exposure. PTSD is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,High blood sugar is not a separate condition but rather a symptom of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to herbicide exposure, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his naval service. Prostate cancer was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence suggesting a relationship between this disability and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction and hypertension have been denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other confirmed Agent Orange exposure. The conditions were not diagnosed until many years after service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a chronic low back and cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder arthritis, residuals of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hip arthritis, have not been substantiated by the evidence of record. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer are rated at a 40 percent disability rating, which is the highest rating assignable based on urinary frequency symptoms. No other issues were addressed in this decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam era, contributed substantially to his cause of death. The Board finds that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted.