Bladder cancer decisions — 2022

The appeal for service connection of a left hand disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have current hearing loss to a degree that qualifies as a ratable disability. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, knee, and hip disabilities due to potential aggravation by pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to develop the record for possible ionizing radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's claim will be referred to the Under Secretary for Health for preparation of a radiation dosage estimate.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating prior to June 6, 2018, and in excess of 40 percent since February 20, 2019, for his service-connected bladder cancer has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted under the PACT Act, and service connection for bladder cancer is remanded.

The Board denied the appeal for accrued benefits and the Appellant's notice of disagreement with the March 2018 Rating Decision, finding that both were untimely.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for bladder cancer from 100% to 40% was proper, and the claim is denied. Separate ratings have been granted for anemia as a residual of bladder cancer with metastatic cancer to lymph nodes and prostate, and for balance impairment as a residual of bladder cancer with metastatic cancer to lymph nodes and prostate.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals have been rated at various levels since July 2016. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the disability, particularly regarding voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to bladder cancer, which is service-connected. The claim for survivor pension benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are dismissed as the Veteran's spouse has been substituted in his appeal. Accrued benefits are also dismissed as the Veteran had a pending appeal at the time of his death.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection as it is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to the PACT Act presumption for herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, leading to presumptive service connection for his lung and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's prostate and bladder cancers are presumed due to military environmental exposure, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's colon cancer and metastatic stomach cancer are also presumed due to military environmental exposure, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bladder cancer has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 7, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's service connection for bladder cancer was granted in the August 2021 rating decision, while his service connection for hypothyroidism was not addressed as an initial issue. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded for bladder cancer.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to their presumptive association with service in Thailand under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bladder cancer prior to October 9, 2012 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 9, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will readjudicate the case.

Your claim for service connection for bladder cancer has been granted, effective from January 30, 2020. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining questions of fact or law to be decided.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of bladder cancer is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent from January 1, 2019.