Bladder cancer decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, urinary bladder cancer, and skin lesion on the left leg, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, were denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appeal for service connection for small-cell urinary bladder cancer was denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The right elbow condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board finds that service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is warranted based on the evidence showing that arteriosclerotic heart disease substantially or materially contributed to his death, and applying the doctrine of reasonable doubt.

The Board has granted service connection for nicotine dependence, emphysema/COPD, and bladder cancer due to tobacco use in service for accrued benefits purposes.

The veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death and therefore does not need to address the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus grants service connection for post-operative residuals of bladder cancer as secondary to exposure to petroleum products.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as bladder cancer due to exposure to an herbicide agent. The veteran's claim for bladder cancer was previously denied in October 2000 and is still pending.

The Board found that the veteran's bladder cancer is not related to his service, including any exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for bladder cancer, which he claims is due to exposure to ionizing radiation and/or monoethanolamine (amine) chemical exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded for further development of the dose reconstruction data.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bladder cancer is not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bladder cancer is denied.