Bladder cancer decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to herbicides and asbestos during his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and bladder cancer were denied increased ratings, while the claims for service connection of chronic kidney disease and COPD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for testicular cancer and a compensable disability rating for bladder cancer.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of gall bladder cancer has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bladder cancer as there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or symptoms during or near the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent increased rating for bladder cancer is denied because the earliest possible effective date is February 27, 2024, as no increase in disability occurred within one year prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer with chronic kidney disease and urinary incontinence are rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability remains at 20 percent. A TDIU from September 8, 2021 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's Disease and Bladder cancer are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of herbicide exposure, thus precluding application of presumptive provisions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bladder cancer due to a duty to assist error and requires an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted compensation for residuals of bladder cancer, iron deficiency anemia, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and hypertension as qualifying additional disabilities under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA's failure to timely diagnose and treat the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant, who is now deceased, had no pending claims affected by the 2021 amendments to 38 U.S.C. 1116 regarding presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for bladder cancer from noncompensable to 100% effective August 1, 2009. The reduction was not proper as there was no evidence of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is remanded for further examination and opinion to address the nature and etiology of his condition, including in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Board has previously granted service connection for bladder cancer and cause of death, with the highest schedular rating available. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for bladder cancer and hypertension are granted due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer, coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bladder cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 11, 2023. The medical records did not suggest the existence of bladder cancer until after this date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of bladder cancer is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of bladder cancer and its association with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bladder cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 11, 2023. The medical records did not suggest the existence of bladder cancer until after this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to jet fuel exhaust and herbicide agents during service.