Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of anemia and a higher evaluation for prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran was not granted service connection for anemia, as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty or any service-connected condition. For prostate cancer residuals, the Board found that the current level of disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and opinions to address his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that there is no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 22, 2005 for the grant of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for prostate cancer residuals was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction prior to March 1, 2010 was granted. Effective March 1, 2010, the Veteran is assigned a 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the unavailability of service records, specifically those from Fort Huachuca Army Health Center. The Veteran's representative provided information about in-service treatment but no action was taken to search for these records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and bilateral lower extremity thrombosis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection, as there was no current disability shown by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective September 1, 2008. The reduction is considered proper based on the current level of urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials more than four times per day.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's prostate disorder, including residuals of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy, is not service connected as due to exposure to herbicides or secondary to his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, which is secondary to herbicide exposure, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for prostate cancer and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and clarification of rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as due to herbicide exposure during his service on the U.S.S. Stoddert in Vietnam, is being remanded for additional development and notification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged in-country Vietnam exposure and potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran does not have prostate cancer that is attributable to his active military service or to his service-connected prostatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his combined rating is at least 80 percent. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met from August 20, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer have been rated at 10 percent prior to October 20, 2011 and at 40 percent from that date onwards. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher rating is warranted for the period before October 20, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound due to his disabilities, as he is able to perform most self-care functions independently.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and efforts to corroborate his reported stressors and service in Vietnam. The claims will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.