Bladder cancer decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes, bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy. The development required includes verifying potential exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and non-ionizing radiation while serving at Clear Air Force Station in Alaska, as well as possible exposure to PFAS during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) at Fort Chaffee.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for clarification on the nexus between the Veteran's bladder disability and service, including potential asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bladder cancer, which was secondary to herbicide exposure, has been dismissed because the surviving spouse who was substituted as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for asbestosis, low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and lung nodules are all denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted, with an effective date of September 21, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, bladder cancer, and cause of death (lung cancer) due to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for gout and right foot plantar fasciitis, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's claims for bladder cancer and kidney cancer were also denied due to lack of evidence linking the cancers to his military service.,There is insufficient evidence to support a link between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for voiding dysfunction due to urethral stricture and chronic kidney disease. The case is remanded for further analysis on the issues of service connection for bladder cancer (secondary to service-connected urethral stricture) and multiple sclerosis.

Your bladder cancer has already been granted service connection, so this issue is no longer under appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of bladder cancer as it was granted in a previous decision and no further action is required.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for genitourinary cancer (bladder cancer, prostate tumor).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status from March 1, 2014 through May 12, 2014 due to insufficient evidence showing he was in need of regular aid and assistance or housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone cause him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of bladder cancer from September 1, 2021. The TDIU issue remains before the Board as part of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bladder and prostate cancer due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to verify any potential exposure to asbestos during the Veteran's service aboard naval ships and track mechanic duties.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bladder cancer.