Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to his military service, specifically his time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to a higher level of SMC. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and hypertension are both remanded for further development, while service connection for prostate cancer is also remanded.

The Veteran's SMC(l) was granted based on his service-connected prostate cancer, metastatic cancer of the back, ribs, and pelvis, and metastatic cancer of the lymphatic system. The Board found that he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 50 percent or more, including RUE peripheral neuropathy, diabetes with erectile dysfunction, LLE peripheral neuropathy, sciatic nerve, RLE peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right clavicle fracture residuals. The Veteran is now entitled to SMC(m 1/2) based on these additional disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune. After considering all evidence and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran, service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding the diagnoses and causation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to radiation in Hiroshima, Japan. The claim will be reviewed again with additional development and consideration of the lay assertions.

The appeal of the proposal to discontinue service connection for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, including special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is dismissed. The issues of right and left knee disorders, DMII, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, SMC based on regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and scars.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, as these claims were granted based on liberalizing law (PACT Act) that went into effect on August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for bowel incontinence is granted. The Veteran's prostate cancer symptoms do not warrant an increased rating, but his bowel incontinence is found to be consistent with the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was diagnosed in 2020, and an effective date of February 10, 2025, is granted for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and prostatitis due to potential exposure at Fort Dix and Schofield Barracks. The AOJ must consider these contentions and provide proper notice and assistance.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's prostate cancer is remanded for further analysis due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for the service-connected stroke stemming from the July 2025 rating decision is dismissed. The restoration of the 40 percent rating for prostate cancer is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and prostate cancer. The Veteran's current diagnoses of OSA, diabetes, and prostate cancer are not supported by evidence showing a current disability at any time during or recent to the filing of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to any in-service toxic exposure risk activity, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and hypertension were granted with effective dates of February 11, 2021. However, the claim for earlier effective dates was denied as there is no evidence of an earlier pending claim or a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the intent to file.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.