Bladder cancer decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bladder cancer residuals is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of active disease and there was no renal dysfunction during the period on appeal. The Veteran did have voiding dysfunction, but his daytime voiding interval was less than one hour or he awakened to void five or more times per night.

The Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer are presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

Service connection granted for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; bladder cancer; Parkinson's disease; hypothyroidism. Service connection denied for colonic diverticula disorder, lymphedema, and tubulovillous adenoma.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions and outstanding records. The Veteran's bladder cancer may be related to exposure from high-powered radar, his service-connected testicular cancer, or a combination of both.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder cancer and throat cancer are not related to his active service, including exposure to exhaust fumes while performing his duties as a field engineer. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The appeal for service connection for bladder cancer is dismissed.,From February 7, 2013 and prior to January 26, 2021, an increased rating (in excess of 20 percent) for bilateral hearing loss is denied. From January 26, 2021, a higher rating (in excess of 40 percent) for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.,Prior to January 1, 2015, an increased TDIU rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, including bladder cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for bladder cancer and scar, supra-pubic ostomy are still on appeal. The AOJ is required to issue a SOC addressing these issues and remand them for further development.

Your bladder cancer is now considered service-connected due to herbicide exposure, rated at 100% disability effective March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for the condition granted. Increased disability ratings and service connection for a back injury are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer due to in-service ionizing radiation exposure. The RO did not comply with the January 2021 remand instructions, as they overlooked a response from the U.S. Army Public Health Center providing a reconstructed dose estimate of 10 millisieverts (1000 millirem) based on external radiation exposure over the Veteran's entire period of active service. The claims are now to be forwarded to VA's Undersecretary for Benefits for action consistent with 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,PTSD and alcohol use disorder are currently not considered disabling, as they are in full remission. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Left ear hearing loss is conceded but its etiology remains unclear.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to have occurred as a result of active service. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, manifested as central apneas, is found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery bypass grafting.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's hypertension may be related to his service, including his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, or as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the cause of death, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, gall bladder cancer, and any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bladder cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The claims for chronic back disorder, hyperparathyroidism and/or thyroid disorder, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are remanded as the evidence does not establish a direct link to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is considered service-connected, as it contributed to his death due to esophageal and bladder cancers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected bladder cancer, finding that there is no causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connections for kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer are remanded due to lack of clear exposure basis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of bladder cancer prior to January 19, 2021 is granted. The claim for a greater than 20 percent rating after that date is denied. Service connection for fibromyalgia and neck disability are both remanded.