Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for post-operative residuals of prostate cancer from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper. The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals have improved, and he is now using one absorbent pad per day.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides and his duties at the 13th S&S Battalion. The Veteran will be asked to submit additional records supporting his claim, and his full personnel records for his period of active duty will be obtained.

The Veteran's last sickness expenses, totaling over $10,000, were borne by the appellant. The Board found that these expenses exceeded the amount of awarded but unpaid benefits ($6,911) and granted the appellant this amount as reimbursement.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 100 percent to 40 percent for prostate cancer was proper, as there has been no local reoccurrence or metastasis of the Veteran's prostate cancer since October 1, 2011. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent based on residuals of voiding dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disorder due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his service records and medical evidence.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reduction of prostate cancer rating from 20% to 100%, which was subsequently increased. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service connected as secondary to his prostate cancer, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Royal Thai Air Force Bases in Thailand, which supports his claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred during his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed Vietnam service and to determine if any transport aircraft based at the Dallas Naval Air Station carried passengers or supplies to South East Asia in 1968.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 12, 2009 for the grant of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as there was no claim filed before April 7, 2010 and the earliest evidence of record showing erectile dysfunction is dated in June 2009.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and loss of use of a creative organ were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The Board found that he was not exposed to herbicides during service, thus precluding presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as bladder cancer, but the Board found that his prostate cancer also contributed to his death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to the presumed link between Agent Orange exposure and prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of colon cancer, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety), and hemorrhoids are denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for multiple myeloma as secondary to herbicide exposure and granted it. Service connection was also granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from September 1, 2012 to April 29, 2013.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides (including Agent Orange), pesticides, and asbestos.