Bladder cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for papillary bladder cancer has been granted.,The claims of service connection for MGUS and CKD have been remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for prostate cancer as a separate and distinct disability, granted earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC, but denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and bladder cancer on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for kidney cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of July 12, 2016 for the Veteran's service connection claims for bladder cancer, a cystectomy painful scar, and a cystectomy scar. These conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer and prostate cancer are rated at 20 percent from June 24, 2020. The disability is characterized by needing to change absorbent materials less than two times per day.

The appeal for service connection for bladder cancer is dismissed. Service connection for a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease and hypertensive heart disease, is denied. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer prior to August 10, 2022 on the basis of direct herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Thailand was outside the period from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 when veterans are given special consideration for herbicides exposure during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease, bladder cancer, and kidney disability are all granted. The kidney disability claim is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides during his service. The claim for service connection has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development regarding potential exposure to PFAS firefighting foam and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for COPD, bladder cancer, and a heart condition.

The Board has found a duty to assist error and requires additional evidence, including VA examination and private treatment records, to determine the severity of the Veteran's bladder cancer residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. Service connection is denied for skin cancer as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is being remanded due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remand instructions regarding potential exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate condition and bladder cancer due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which may be related to his in-service urinary symptoms and exposure to unidentified chemicals while working as a truck driver in Germany.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of bladder cancer, finding that he did not file a claim prior to November 14, 2023. The decision is based on VA regulations regarding liberalizing laws and special provisions under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bladder cancer is granted. The issue of service connection for intestinal cancer is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's bladder cancer was granted as a presumptive disability due to herbicide exposure, and the effective date is set at August 10, 2022. The rating of 100% has been increased to cover the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 1, 2022 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim was part of his increased rating claim for bladder cancer and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his cessation of smoking in 1961.