Bladder cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bladder cancer, multinodular goiter, and osteoporosis due to service connection. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records, an addendum medical opinion from a medical professional with appropriate expertise, and scheduling the Veteran for a new examination if necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking his bladder cancer to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to his service-connected bladder cancer, which was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service connection claim for MDS is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his disability had its clinical onset during service or is related to an event of his period of active service.,Service connection for bladder cancer has been denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran’s bladder cancer manifested within one year of separation from service and there is insufficient evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bladder cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during or as a result of military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The Board finds that additional development of the evidence is required to determine whether service connection for bladder cancer is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during service. As a result, the claim for residuals of bladder cancer due to herbicide agent exposure is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bladder cancer, particularly in relation to his service-connected thyroid cancer.

The Veteran's death was caused by stroke, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to ionizing radiation exposure during military service. However, the Board finds that additional development is needed as there are no records indicating the Veteran participated in atmospheric nuclear testing or had any exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied service connection for bladder cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's military service and his condition. The primary reason was the Veteran's extensive smoking history which is considered the single biggest risk factor for developing bladder cancer.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding no evidence to support a link between any in-service incident or condition and the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his military service and herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The claim will be reviewed and additional development may be necessary before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the April 2018 remand order, and thus the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's locations of service in Guam and any exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding service connection for bladder cancer, which may be related to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's representative noted a pending legislative change that could include bladder cancer as a presumptive disease, but it has not yet become law.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, COPD, heart disability, sleep apnea, peptic ulcer, hydrocele, type II diabetes mellitus, urothelial cancer (claimed as bladder cancer), cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The cause of death claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the bladder cancer claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for bladder cancer cannot be established based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and the presumption cannot be rebutted with evidence of tobacco use.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the Veteran’s mental health disorders did not affect his decision-making process regarding treatment for bladder cancer, and thus did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The PTSD and TDIU issues are also being remanded.