Bladder cancer decisions — 2020

The Veteran's petition to reopen his skin disability claim was granted. His claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, an eye disability, and hearing loss were denied on the merits. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is remanded. Other issues are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bladder cancer, lung cancer, lymph node cancer, and bone cancer as they are not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bladder cancer due to herbicide exposure and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The remand requires a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bladder cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for bladder cancer residuals, including chronic cystitis, is denied as it would constitute impermissible pyramiding of benefits.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and basal cell carcinoma are remanded for further examination and opinion due to inadequate previous medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for service connection for bladder cancer will be reconsidered with additional information provided by the appellant and further VA records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, kidney disability (secondary to diabetes), and eye condition (glaucoma and cataracts) are not service-connected for accrued purposes.,The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected for accrued purposes. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. The claim for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The claim for skin cancer remains pending, with the need for an addendum opinion to address whether it is related to in-service exposure or sunburns/sun exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded. An addendum opinion is needed regarding whether his diagnoses are related to fear of hostile military activity or a verified stressor.,The claim for service connection for COPD remains pending, with the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether it is related to presumed exposure to jet fuel in service.,The cause of death claim has been remanded. The Board will consider the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his respiratory disorder (COPD) as well as any other factors that may have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is related to in-service herbicide agent exposure and service connection for the condition has been granted.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bladder cancer and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board has remanded the issues of bladder cancer, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate cancer and bladder cancer service connection, as well as the PTSD rating and TDIU claim due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and bladder cancer, as well as the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The cause of death claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer, including voiding dysfunction requiring the use of an appliance, are rated at a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as service personnel records, which need to be obtained in order to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Board also finds that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran’s asserted radiation exposure.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be associated with exposure to contaminated water at Air Station New River, which he served at during his military service. The Board granted presumptive service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and his active duty service. The private opinions submitted by Dr. S.S.C. were not considered probative due to lack of rationale.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bladder and intestinal cancers are etiologically related to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection remain pending.