CAVC Case 22-4105: Prostate

CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2021-07-30 · MOORMAN

This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.

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Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.

per month ·  per year, tax-free

Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.

2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
RatingMonthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA)
10%$180.42
20%$356.66
30%$552.47
40%$795.84
50%$1,132.90
60%$1,435.02
70%$1,808.45
80%$2,102.15
90%$2,362.30
100%$3,938.58
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Outcome
Vacated / Remanded
Decision Date
2021-07-30
Judge
MOORMAN
Service Era
Not specified

Conditions Claimed

Prostate

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Issues on Appeal

Service Connection

Why It Was Decided This Way

In the March 2022 decision here on appeal,the Board found that the October 2021 decision provided an incomplete discussion of the April 2021 VA medical opinion and failed to discuss research,which was constructively of record,related to the risk of asbestos exposure,and the Board therefore vacated its October 2021 decision.

The Board then found that the evidence persuasively weighs against finding that the [v]eteran's diagnosis of prostate cancer began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury,event, or disease, and the Board denied the appellant.

ANALYSIS Establishing that a disability is service connected for purposes of entitlement to VA disability compensation generally requires medical or,in certain circumstances,lay evidence of (1)a current disability,(2)an incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury in service, and (3)a nexus between the claimed in-service injury or disease and the current disability.

Whether the record establishes entitlement to service connection is a finding of fact,which the Court reviews under the clearly erroneous standard of review.

A finding of fact is clearly erroneous when the Court,after reviewing the entire evidence, is left 4 with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.

In every decision,the Board must provide a statement of the reasons or bases for its determination that is adequate to enable a claimant to understand the precise basis for the Board's decision,as well as to facilitate review in this Court.

To comply with this requirement,the Board must analyze the credibility and probative value of the evidence,account for the evidence that it finds to be persuasive or unpersuasive,and provide the reasons for rejecting any material evidence favorable to the claimant.

The appellant argues that reversal is warranted because the Board clearly erred in finding that the benefit of the doubt does not apply.

Authorities Cited

Allday v. BrownBest v. PrincipiBond v. DerwinskiBrown v. BrownCaluza v. BrownDavidson v. ShinsekiGilbert v. DerwinskiGutierrez v. PrincipiHilkert v. WestJohnson v. BrownJones v. ShinsekiLendon v. NicholsonMedrano v. ShinsekiMiller v. WilkieSee Berger v. BrownSee Evans v. ShinsekiSee Frankel v. DerwinskiSee Medrano v. NicholsonSee Overton v. WilkieSee Owens v. BrownSee Quirin v. ShinsekiSee Russo v. BrownSee Washington v. NicholsonShedden v. PrincipiStern v. McTucker v. West

Denial Type

Credibility|No Nexus|Duty To Assist

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