Bladder cancer decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer does not result in any residuals that would warrant a compensable rating. The Board found that the Veteran's urinary symptoms are more likely related to his bladder cancer and subsequent cystoprostatectomy, rather than his prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's death and its relationship to his service-connected conditions, including whether any of these conditions were a contributory cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the appellant is recognized as a surviving spouse and to adjudicate the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service personnel records to verify his Camp Lejeune service dates and nature of duty. Additionally, VA treatment records from September 2011 to the present are requested.

The Board has remanded the case due to a missed hearing, and no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's cancer is related to his service in the Persian Gulf and exposure to environmental toxins, including 'dirty sand' and oil well fire smoke.

The appellant withdrew her appeals for several issues, including service connection for dental disability, bladder cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, and for higher evaluations of cervical disc disease, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bladder cancer, which he claims is due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service. The Board has ordered a new VA examination and requested the Veteran's private treatment records from Dr. R.C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and bladder cancer. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's prostate cancer or bladder cancer are etiologically related to his military service, including any in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is alleged to have contributed to his death from bladder cancer. The VA has not obtained all necessary records and needs to provide a new opinion on whether the hearing loss played a material causal role in the Veteran's death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bladder cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's metastatic bladder cancer, which was a result of his herbicide exposure during service, caused his death. As this condition is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to the need for additional development and examination, including a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims of CUE in the September 1993 and May [redacted], 1995 decisions were denied, as the appellant is not legally entitled to pursue these claims on an accrued benefits basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure. Additionally, there was no direct or secondary service connection established.

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancer claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his cancers. The psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the cancer claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no competent and credible evidence showing current disabilities or a link to his active service.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected as his exposure to herbicides did not play a role in the development of this condition. His prostate cancer residuals are service-connected, but do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his prostate cancer diagnosis either predated his bladder cancer diagnosis or developed independently. The Court also noted that efforts should be made to obtain any relevant private treatment records from the Veteran's retirement up to his death.