Bladder cancer decisions — 2015

The Veteran's prostate cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the left vocal cord are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.,Bladder cancer is also not service-connected, as it has been claimed as secondary to a nonservice-connected condition (prostate cancer).

The VA has acknowledged exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune but the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, degenerative bone disease (including spinal stenosis and cervical fusion), and COPD/emphysema are denied as there is no causal link between these conditions and the exposure.

The Veteran died from metastatic bladder cancer and prostate cancer, presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure. However, the medical evidence does not support a service connection for these conditions, as there is no diagnosis of prostate cancer and the cause of death was due to smoking-related bladder cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the 1970s and arranging for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and an increased rating for PTSD are also being addressed.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is found to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, and service connection for this condition is granted.

Service connection for CAD and PTSD was granted with effective dates of April 17, 2009. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of prostate cancer or bladder cancer during service, and the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria was granted effective May 3, 2012. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the causes were unrelated to his military service and not due to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for additional disability claimed as due to surgery at the VA for the removal of his prostate in September 2005. The Board finds that further development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the VA's carelessness or negligence caused the Veteran's additional disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bladder cancer, which is secondary to exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The VA has conceded duty at Camp Lejeune and presumed exposure to contaminated water. However, the Board finds that a remand is necessary as the September 2013 VA medical opinion is inadequate.

The Veteran's metastatic bladder cancer and multiple sclerosis were not found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides, and therefore denied for service connection.

The Veteran's prostate and bladder cancers are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are due to exposure to Trichloroethylene (TCE) during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange, while stationed in Vietnam and therefore service connection is granted for his cause of death due to diabetes and metastatic prostate cancer.

The Veteran's skin cancer of the face and bladder cancer were not found to be related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between these conditions and his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bladder cancer, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of chronic symptoms in service or continuous after service separation. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and earlier effective date for tinnitus are also denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim of service connection for bladder cancer.

The Board found that the Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and an examination.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for service connection for residuals of bladder cancer before a decision was made by the Board.