Bladder cancer decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and evaluation for the listed conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, finding that the Veteran's exposure to diesel fuel during his military service is at least as likely as not related to his condition.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent from March 14, 2017 to May 23, 2018, November 25, 2018 to January 30, 2019, and from August 1, 2019. The Veteran's bladder cancer status post cystoscopies are rated at 100 percent from May 24, 2018 to November 24, 2018 and January 31, 2019 to July 31, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, right and left upper extremity neuropathy, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to potential new evidence. The Veteran's prostate cancer is being evaluated for secondary service connection with bladder and lung cancers, while his bilateral upper extremity neuropathies are being evaluated for aggravation by these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bladder cancer is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer was reopened, and he is now receiving a 60 percent rating effective February 27, 2018. The effective dates for service connection for diabetic nephropathy and scar, residual prostate cancer are also set to this date. An increased rating of 80 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is granted as of the same date. TDIU due to diabetes mellitus is granted starting from February 27, 2018, and SMC is granted effective from February 27, 2018 through June 30, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy has been granted. Service connection for CAD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bladder cancer with increased urinary frequency is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder with mood disturbances, is granted as related to his military service.,Service connection for bladder cancer is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right kidney cancer and his service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, including bladder cancer, abdominal aortic aneurysm, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The claims are being reviewed in light of potential herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, along with his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is being remanded for additional development to determine if it was caused by in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, specifically while stationed at Fort McClellan. The AOJ must obtain the Veteran’s service treatment records and personnel files from all periods of his service, including National Guard service, and verify any potential exposure to toxic or radioactive materials.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran had exposure to herbicidal agents, including Agent Orange, in service. If such exposure is found, a VA medical opinion will be obtained to address whether the bladder cancer and kidney cancer are related to that exposure.

The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is being remanded due to insufficient information provided by the VA regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and other contaminants during service. The case will be reviewed again with additional evidence, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and TDIU due to a possible correlation between his in-service genitourinary problems and his current bladder cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for bladder cancer, as it pertains to service connection secondary to his service-connected Hodgkin's disease. Additional evidence is needed and an examination by an oncologist is required.

The Veteran's hypertension and bladder cancer were denied service connection. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service, particularly due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancers were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.,There was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in Korea, and the Veteran did not have a presumptive claim based on Agent Orange exposure.