Bladder cancer decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and bladder cancer with his service.

The Board has denied service connection for a shoulder muscle condition and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, low back disability (including spinal defect), throat cancer, and bladder cancer are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions listed above due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric findings show no more than Level II hearing acuity in either ear.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of bladder cancer is denied as he does not meet the criteria for urinary frequency requiring less than one hour daytime voiding interval or awakening to void five or more times per night.

Service connection for benign papilloma of bladder status post laser uretholithiasis is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for pneumonia is remanded.

The appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a headache disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bladder cancer due to exposure to chemical agents, as well as service connection for a headache disorder secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for brain cancer and lung cancer was granted. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, bladder cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential VA treatment records. The appellant must provide additional information about any other medical records that may be relevant.

The Veteran's gall bladder cancer was not incurred during service or due to Agent Orange exposure, and the Board found no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bladder cancer, residuals of gallbladder removal, and skin rash. The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed related to herbicide exposure during service. Residuals of gallbladder removal and skin rash are also presumed related to herbicide exposure. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities, as well as for further consideration of his claims related to hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension, which pre-existed service, is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and analysis of his service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to diesel fuel. The decision is based on the presumption of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder and intestinal cancers, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned due to a lack of VA examination in conjunction with these claims.

The Veteran's service records confirm he was exposed to ionizing radiation during his service at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, the Department of Energy (DOE) could not provide dosimetry records for him and is asked to clarify if his duties qualified him as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort under section 3621(14) of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional information about the Veteran's exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to depleted uranium or other toxins during service, and to determine if his bladder cancer is related to those exposures.

The Veteran's small cell bladder cancer is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it qualifies as a form of soft tissue sarcoma that would be presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure, or if it is directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation, as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by such exposure. The appellant must clarify her preference between proceeding as an accrued benefits claimant or a substituted claimant.