Bladder cancer decisions — 2020

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

The claim of service connection for bladder cancer is remanded. The claims of service connection for asthma and COPD are denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and left arm, forearm, and wrist shell fragment wounds are remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his conditions and their severity.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer and determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to June 17, 2015.

The claim for service connection for the cause of death has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but further development is needed before it can be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential Agent Orange exposure and a need for additional development regarding service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bladder cancer with residuals are all granted. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his service due to in-service stressors. His bilateral hearing loss is also related to his service. However, the claim for bladder cancer was remanded as new evidence did not establish a link between exposure to herbicides and the condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in the previous decision, including an ambiguous VA medical opinion and missing records from SSA and a scheduled oncology appointment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The case will be reviewed and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's military service and his diagnosed condition.

The Board has found service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, but remanded the claims for bladder cancer and pleural plaques due to asbestos.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder, bladder cancer, cardiovascular disorder (mitral valve insufficiency), lung disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as there is no evidence to establish in-service incurrence or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's case for a separate evaluation of his service-connected bladder cancer with residuals of prostate cancer, due to pending hearing requests. The AOJ should proceed with scheduling and holding a DRO hearing before a DRO.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including due consideration of his exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his bladder cancer, including whether it is related to service-connected prostate cancer or due to in-service exposure to herbicide agent and diesel fumes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected bladder cancer did not result in any residuals or treatment for an active malignancy prior to September 6, 2018. Therefore, a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is being remanded for an updated opinion considering the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report on herbicide exposure and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during service and whether his current conditions are related to such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether bladder cancer is associated with the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The appellant and her representative have cited evidence suggesting a possible link, but more medical opinion is needed.