Bladder cancer decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in verifying herbicide agent exposure and obtaining a TERA opinion regarding the cause of bladder cancer. The Veteran's MOS as an aviation electrician is considered toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are related to an in-service event, leading to their service connection. The claims for prostate cancer and bladder cancer due to toxic exposures are remanded.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is due to his service-connected sarcoidosis and residuals of bladder cancer, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in verifying herbicide agent exposure and determining if bladder cancer is related to toxic exposure risk activities during service. The Veteran's MOS as an aviation electrician suggests he was exposed to dust, grease, and fuel.

The Board dismissed the appeal because no further action was taken to reduce the Veteran's disability rating for bladder cancer, and the matter was not ripe for appeal.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as the cause of death listed on his Certificate of Death is respiratory failure due to aspiration. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals are rated at a 40 percent rating from August 17, 2023 until present.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is not associated with his conceded exposure to asbestos, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for the condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bladder cancer and a suprapubic cystostomy were dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization related to service-connected residuals of bladder cancer is denied as there was no evidence of required hospital treatment or observation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is granted due to the PACT Act, while claims for ischemic stroke and Parkinson's-like tremor are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, is at least as likely as not related to his bladder cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bladder cancer, in remission, is being remanded due to the failure to schedule and conduct a VA examination. The examiner will assess the current nature and severity of his residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for service-connected bladder cancer and its residuals as of December 1, 2023 is being remanded due to the failure to follow mandatory examination requirements under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bladder cancer residuals, which included voiding dysfunction, was denied. The proposed reduction in the prostate cancer rating from 100% to 40% was dismissed as it is not yet ripe for review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lung cancer, kidney/bladder cancer, COPD, hematuria, bone metastasis of the left iliac bone, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and hypertension are all found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The appeal of the initial rating assigned for bladder cancer is dismissed. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated neuropathies are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bladder cancer and chronic kidney disease, considering his in-service exposures.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer and left knee pain, but denied service connection for GERD, acne, right knee pain, erectile dysfunction, and sinus disability. The TDIU claim was dismissed.