The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is denied. The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft is denied. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for residual surgical scar anterior chest is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder in the Veteran, and his symptoms were attributed to medication use rather than a service-connected disability. The Veteran's prostate cancer was rated based on urinary frequency and obstructed voiding, with the Board finding that the Veteran's bowel and urinary incontinence due to radiation therapy warranted a 60 percent rating under DC 7529. For his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the Board found no evidence of heart failure symptoms at or below the 3.1-5.0 METs level required for a 60 percent rating. The Veteran's chest scar was rated as noncompensable due to its size and lack of underlying soft tissue damage.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, Prostate cancer, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft, Residual surgical scar anterior chest
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 13, 2023
- Citation
- A23031798
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 A23031798.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is rated at 100% effective October 25, 2024. His prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% effective October 25, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and prostate cancer are granted service connection, with the latter requiring a VA examination to address exposure to burn pits.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear has been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and thus, cannot establish a link to service. For prostate cancer, the Veteran's claim is remanded as VA did not provide an opinion regarding whether his condition may be related to service due to toxic exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals prior to January 5, 2026 are rated at 10 percent. From January 5, 2026, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for his prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not compensable.
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