Bladder cancer decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer and bladder cancer, both claimed as due to medication for his service-connected pulmonary vasculitis versus pulmonary fibrosis, have been dismissed because the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred due to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic bladder cancer, which the VA does not consider service-connected. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also denied as there is no evidence of a 100% disability rating for at least 10 years immediately preceding death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend a personal hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions and TDIU remain unresolved.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, as his bladder cancer did not have its onset during or as a result of his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bladder cancer is not related to his service, including exposure to toxic chemicals during the Persian Gulf War. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and high cholesterol were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including glaucoma of the left eye, bladder cancer, cardiovascular disease (including hypertension and residuals of myocardial infarction), and a pulmonary disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examinations did not find any link between these conditions and exposure to asbestos or other in-service factors.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his active duty service or any presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection must be denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not incurred or aggravated during service and there is no evidence that it is related to events in service, including exposure to ionizing radiation or amine. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding a connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and an opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a genitourinary disorder, to include bladder cancer, was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or that the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic prostatitis, and bladder cancer have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's bladder cancer and his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, lung cancer, and bladder cancer were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link between the conditions and his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a valid claim for these conditions due to the lack of proof of a current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate and bladder cancer were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer, which he claimed was due to herbicide exposure, has been dismissed because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer, status post removal of the prostate, are not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet and bladder cancer were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service, including exposure to herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, or radiation.