The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected prostatitis prior to January 31, 2018, finding that his symptoms were primarily due to nonservice-connected benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no evidence that the service-connected prostatitis caused voiding dysfunction or other symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Prostatitis, Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22064136
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 22064136.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's BPH is aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to these disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain a VA examination for the Veteran's urinary tract disability. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether the disability is related to service or service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for prostatitis, effective September 25, 2020, as the reduction was improper due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's BPH improved over the one-year look-back period, and there is no evidence of increased urinary frequency or use of absorbent materials. Therefore, a rating higher than 20 percent for BPH is denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.