Bladder cancer decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bladder cancer or any residuals thereof, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, including prostate cancer which he had been granted service connection for due to Agent Orange exposure. Bladder cancer, the cause of his death, is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder, prostate, and skin cancer due to ionizing radiation exposure. The case must be referred to the VA Under Secretary for Health for a dose estimate based on his service as an X-ray technician from February 1944 to April 1946.

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic bladder cancer, which is not service-connected. Coronary artery disease, a significant condition contributing to death, also had no direct link to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as new and material evidence was received since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bladder cancer and its residuals contributed to his death from end-stage liver disease and hepatic encephalopathy. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus contributed substantially to his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension at the housebound rate is denied as he does not have a single permanent disability rated 100 percent disabling under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for bladder cancer, including as due to exposure to an herbicidal agent and/or other chemicals (such as acetone, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride and CARC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bladder cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides, but there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or to any specific exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if current hearing loss and bladder/prostate cancer are related to service. The claim of service connection for nosebleeds will be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension due to his failure to provide necessary income verification forms as required by VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bladder cancer with metastasis to the liver was not related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals. The most probative medical evidence did not establish a connection.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was initially manifest 37 years after his separation from active duty service and is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. However, the evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's current bladder cancer and his active duty service.

The Veteran's residuals of renal and bladder cancer, including voiding dysfunction, were manifested by nocturia of about 5 times per night and urine leakage or accidents causing replacement of undergarments up to 2 times per day. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent rating have been met.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for bladder cancer, which is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appellant's bladder cancer was noted on a November 2004 VA Agent Orange examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer is a direct result of his exposure to dioxin (Agent Orange) during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his prostate cancer, which is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam. The cause of death is therefore granted.

The Veteran's death was due to VA's carelessness in diagnosing and treating his kidney cancer, leading to the development of metastatic bladder cancer. The Board found that the Veteran's additional disability (metastasis and death) was caused by VA's error in judgment or carelessness.