Bladder cancer decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's bladder cancer, which caused his death, was related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. This decision grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's bladder cancer is not related to exposure to Agent Orange and did not have its onset in service.

The veteran's service-connected bladder cancer, due to radiation exposure in service, was the principal cause of his death from congestive heart failure.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bladder cancer, which he contends is related to his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical evidence and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's bladder cancer.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that his bladder cancer and chronic urinary tract disorder were not caused by VA hospitalization in February 1983.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for postoperative residuals of bladder cancer, finding that the criteria are not met. The case is also referred to consider whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted, as VA treatment in August 1997 resulted in a bladder tumor that was not promptly addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claim due to new evidence and changes in the law.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that VA treatment caused or hastened the veteran's death, and denied the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 (West 1991 & Supp. 2000) for the cause of the veteran's death.

The RO has reopened the claims for left ear hearing loss and migraines, but denied service connection for bladder cancer. The new evidence submitted is sufficient to reopen these claims.