The VA provides disability benefits for a variety of prostate conditions when connected with military service. Prostate cancer, enlarged prostate (also called BPH for benign prostatic hyperplasia), voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction are all conditions that could be related to a veteran’s military service. The VA rates prostate cancer at 100% and other prostate conditions between 0% and 60%, depending on the condition’s symptoms and severity.
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In this article about VA disability for prostate conditions:
- Prostate conditions eligible for VA disability
- VA disability for prostate cancer
- VA disability for enlarged prostate
- VA disability for voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence
- VA rating for voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence
- How Woods & Woods can help
- Frequently asked questions
Prostate conditions eligible for VA disability
Several different prostate conditions can develop as a result of military service. The most common conditions are:
- Prostate cancer
- Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Voiding dysfunction
- Frequent urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Erectile dysfunction
These conditions could be service-connected in three ways. First, the condition could be directly service-connected, meaning there is evidence available to show it resulted from a veteran’s military service. The VA would determine a secondary service connection if the prostate condition resulted from another service-connected condition. Lastly, a prostate condition could be a presumptive connection related to exposure to burn pits or Agent Orange.
VA disability for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common type of cancer in men. (Skin cancers are the most common cancer diagnoses for both men and women, and breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer for women.) The American Cancer Society estimates that about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes.
As with other cancers, prostate cancer is caused by cells with abnormal DNA. Abnormal DNA can come from inflammation in the prostate, which can damage cell DNA, or exposure to cancer-causing material, which causes DNA mutations.
Prostate cancer as a presumptive condition
Veterans who meet specific service criteria may be approved for disability benefits as a presumptive condition. Prostate cancer is a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange or burn pits.
Agent Orange and prostate cancer
Veterans exposed to the tactical herbicide Agent Orange during their service may be eligible for disability benefits for prostate cancer as a presumptive condition. Agent Orange was primarily used during the Vietnam War to remove leaves, plants, and other vegetation that provided cover for the opposition. However, chemical compounds in the herbicide were toxic, and anyone exposed could have adverse health effects.
Veterans seeking disability benefits for prostate cancer as a presumptive condition to their Agent Orange exposure must submit a medical record showing their diagnosis and military records to prove they served in an area known for exposure to the herbicide.
Veterans with other prostate conditions or health conditions related to Agent Orange exposure that are not listed as one of the presumptive conditions may still be eligible for disability benefits. However, these veterans must provide a medical nexus connecting their service to their health condition.
Burn pits and prostate cancer
The VA estimates that over the last two decades, more than 3.5 million troops were exposed to burn pits. The toxic smoke from burn pits has been known to cause health issues for veterans (and civilians) living and working near them.
When Congress passed the PACT Act in August 2022, it added 20 burn pit presumptive health conditions–including prostate cancer–as presumptive conditions to burn pit and toxin exposure for Afghanistan and Gulf War veterans.
Veterans seeking disability benefits for prostate cancer as a presumptive condition to their burn pit exposure must submit a medical record showing their diagnosis and military records to demonstrate they served in a qualifying location and time period.
Camp Lejeune and prostate cancer
The VA acknowledges that service members who lived or worked at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from August 1953 – 1987 could have been exposed to contaminated drinking water. Prostate cancer is one of the conditions linked to exposure to the contaminated water. As of now, it is not considered a presumptive condition, but other cancers relating to genital and urinary organs are.
The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) has previously granted a direct service connection to prostate cancer for a veteran who served in Camp Lejeune. The veteran’s physician reported that it was at least as likely as not that cancer developed as a result of the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. It is important to note, that BVA decisions are not precedents for future decisions.
Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and developed prostate cancer or other health conditions can also join the Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
VA disability erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer
If a veteran’s injury during service immediately caused erectile dysfunction (ED), it would be considered directly service connected. However, ED would be a secondary service connection in any other scenario.
Veterans with prostate cancer may also experience erectile dysfunction. The diagnosis can reduce sexual desire, and the treatment of prostate cancer can increase the frequency of ED. As a result, erectile dysfunction can be a secondary service connection for veterans with prostate cancer.
VA rating for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is listed under diagnostic code 7528 malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system. The VA rates prostate cancer at 100% during cancer treatment and six months afterward. At the end of six months, a re-examination is required to determine a new rating. In addition, any ongoing disabilities related to cancer contribute to the VA disability rating for cancer in remission.
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VA disability for enlarged prostate
A noncancerous, enlarged prostate is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is one of the most common diseases for men and a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms.
BPH is not commonly ruled a service-connected condition since it is so common in many men. However, some service-connected diseases can cause or worsen BPH, making it a secondary condition for male veterans receiving disability benefits.
BPH is listed in the Schedule of Ratings under diagnostic code 7527 which instructs the VA to consider the ratings for voiding dysfunctions or urinary tract infections, whichever is most dominant. Voiding dysfunctions have a maximum rating of 60%, and urinary tract infections have a maximum rating of 30%.
VA disability for voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence
Veterans with voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence may have difficulty emptying their bladders. Other symptoms include having trouble starting to urinate, finding it takes longer than expected to empty one’s bladder, using the bathroom more often, leaking urine, or feeling strong urges to use the bathroom.
Lower urinary tract symptoms like these have been associated with veterans with mental health diagnoses and veterans who have been prescribed opioids. Therefore, it may be possible to receive disability benefits for voiding dysfunctions as a secondary service connection related to service-connected mental health conditions or conditions treated with opioids.
VA rating for voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence
Unlike other disabilities, the VA doesn’t have a specific disability rating number for voiding dysfunction, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence. Instead, these dysfunctions are listed under ratings of the genitourinary system-dysfunctions in the Schedule of Ratings (38 CFR 4.115a). Depending on the symptoms and severity, they range from 0% to 60%.
VA Ratings for Frequent Urination
How Woods & Woods can help
If you are a veteran diagnosed with a prostate condition, it may be related to your military service. If you need assistance with an initial application or have questions about presumptive conditions, the team at Woods & Woods can help. Our VA disability lawyers have helped thousands of veterans. We’ve developed innovative case strategies and have brought together a strong team of researchers and support staff.
Since the rules and requirements around VA benefits are constantly changing, you may have been denied benefits for a prostate condition that would now be considered presumptive to your service. If so, call Woods & Woods for assistance and get the help you deserve.
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Frequently asked questions
Prostate cancer is a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange or burn pits. Prostate cancer is also one of the conditions linked to exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but as of now, it is not labeled as a presumptive condition.
Yes. Prostate cancer is listed under diagnostic code 7528 for malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system. The VA rates prostate cancer at 100% during cancer treatment and six months afterward. At the end of six months, a re-examination is required to determine a new rating. In addition, any ongoing disabilities related to cancer contribute to the VA disability rating for cancer in remission.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
