Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Veteran's prostate cancer, which was initially granted service connection in February 2007, is now rated at 60 percent effective from February 21, 2007.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his active military service while stationed at Fort Drum, and therefore grants service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, cancer of the neck, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer as due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records, as well as arranging a urology examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer is being considered on its merits without any presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a complete list of his post-service employment history.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy have been characterized by voiding dysfunction, requiring the use of an appliance and absorbent materials which must be changed more than four times a day. The Board has determined that this warrants a 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer does not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for residuals of prostate cancer was proper. The issues of service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for prostate cancer and adjustment disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and are REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to exposure to herbicides. The decision also addressed a separate issue of service connection for BPH and other prostate disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of Agent Orange exposure during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer due to such exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as a result of exposure to diesel fuel in service, and the Board affords the benefit of doubt to his claim.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated at 60 percent since June 14, 2007. The rating is based on the use of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times per day due to urinary leakage.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been rated at 30 percent since March 11, 2016. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 9, 2010 for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was denied as his most recent request to reopen the claim was received after the disability arose.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer have not been manifested by urinary leakage or incontinence requiring absorbent materials that must be changed two to four times per day, urinary frequency with a daytime voiding interval less than one hour or awakening to void five or more times per night, obstructed voiding, urinary tract infections, or renal dysfunction. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, as he served on a ship that operated in the inland waterways of Vietnam. His diabetes mellitus type II is also presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for a special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostatectomy residuals as a result of prostate cancer was denied, but the Board referred it to the Court. The Court remanded the issue back to the Board with instructions to consider extraschedular consideration.,SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) beginning July 2, 2013 was granted based on the Veteran's single service-connected disability (prostatectomy residuals rated at 60%) and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and is unrelated to his active military service. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is denied.