Bladder cancer decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bladder cancer is not currently considered a condition associated with herbicide exposure under VA regulations. The Board has ordered further medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's bladder cancer may be linked to his service-connected prostate cancer or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for bladder cancer, finding that it is secondary to PTSD with alcohol abuse. The decision also grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bladder cancer and service connection for erectile dysfunction are remanded due to the absence of VA examinations prior to the decision.

The Veteran's dyshidrotic eczema, bladder cancer, vision impairment, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle have not been granted compensable ratings or service connection. The claims for dyshidrotic eczema and vision impairment are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for osteoarthritis of the left ankle is also denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's hypertension and bladder cancer are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service, particularly exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. However, the claim must be remanded for a VA medical opinion to address the positive nexus provided by the private physician and relevant literature.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for a medical opinion regarding his exposure to ionizing radiation in service and its relation to his metastatic bladder cancer.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not productive of renal dysfunction or voiding dysfunction prior to January 8, 2019. Beginning January 8, 2019, the Veteran's bladder cancer did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for blood cancer is dismissed. The claim of service connection for bladder cancer, including as due to Agent Orange exposure and fuel exposure, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer as due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bladder cancer is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and differentiation between service-connected residuals of bladder cancer and nonservice-connected overactive bladder.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and related issues are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bladder cancer.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of a 100% rating for bladder cancer was proper, and an effective date of December 30, 2009 is granted for a 40% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bladder cancer associated with herbicide exposure and jet fuel.,Bladder cancer is being remanded as there was no indication of herbicide or jet fuel exposure in the record.

The Veteran's DIC claim was denied as he did not have a service-connected disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bladder cancer, and bone cancer were all denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or causation of these conditions during his lifetime.

The Board has remanded the claims for nephrolithiasis, left knee disability, right knee disability, residuals of bladder cancer, and residuals of prostate cancer due to incomplete service treatment records. Further development is needed including obtaining complete Coast Guard service records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if current kidney stones are related to in-service incidences, examining the nature and etiology of any diagnosed knee disabilities, and determining the etiology of the appellant's bladder and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as respiratory arrest due to cardiac arrest and bladder cancer. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death because there was no evidence that the Veteran's bladder cancer was related to his in-service herbicide exposure or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Burial benefits were also denied as the Appellant did not use her personal funds to pay the Veteran's funeral and burial expenses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer, finding that his current diagnosis was not related to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune and that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service service and his condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bladder cancer, to include as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), and instructed VA to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.