Bladder cancer decisions — 2016

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to metastatic bladder cancer and prostate carcinoma. The appellant claimed service connection for the cause of death based on exposure to herbicides, but there is no evidence of such exposure in his service records or medical history. Service connection cannot be granted because the cancers were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bladder cancer and ensuring that all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's room and board costs at Pueblo Regent from September 30, 2010 through December 2011 may be included as an unreimbursed medical expense for the purpose of computing his eligibility to receive special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed bladder cancer and psychiatric disorders, including consideration of service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was at least as likely as not caused by in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's bladder cancer substantially contributed to his death.,The Veteran's metastatic kidney cancer was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bladder cancer.,The Veteran's metastatic lung cancer was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bladder cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney cancer with loss of the right kidney and bladder cancer are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions, including soft tissue sarcoma, gastric ulcers, memory loss, headaches, hearing loss, chloracne, hypertension, and bladder cancer. The appeal is considered 'denied' as no specific disposition was provided.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care or medical treatment, and therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, SLE, bladder cancer, and Paget's disease of the bone. The reasons were that there was no evidence showing a direct link to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and their relationship to military service. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine whether Schmorl's node constitutes a congenital or developmental defect or disease that is related to the Veteran's current low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including those related to the Veteran's treatment for mycosis fungoides and bladder cancer. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a colonoscopy, including bone and blood disorder (including hepatitis C), bladder cancer, neo bladder, groin cancer, and bladder/prostate/kidney issues is denied as there is no evidence that the claimed conditions were caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records and a VA medical opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss did not play a material causal role in his death. The VA medical opinion supports this finding, as it notes no evidence of difficulty understanding instructions from health care providers due to hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and the cause of death was gastric cancer, leukemia, and bladder cancer. The Board found that none of these conditions were related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer did not have its onset in active service or for many years thereafter, and it is not related to such service. The claim for service connection for bladder cancer is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for kidney cancer and bladder cancer has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of both claims.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is not related to his service, and the Board finds that it did not manifest within one year of discharge. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.