The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was service-connected metastatic bladder cancer, which is at least as likely due to his in-service cigarette smoking. As a result, the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's metastatic bladder cancer was most likely not present during his time in service but developed as a consequence of his cigarette smoking, which began during or shortly after his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic bladder cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2004
- Citation
- 0430694
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0430694.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic bladder cancer was likely incurred in or caused by his active service due to exposure to toxic chemicals, including benzene.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic bladder cancer, which is a presumptive condition due to herbicide exposure. The effective date for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been granted as April 1, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic bladder cancer, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's condition was related to his military service. The appeal is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further investigation and adjudication regarding service connection for cause of death due to exposure to hazardous contaminants other than radiation at Kirtland Air Force Base, and for a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 related to negligence in performing an incomplete resection surgery.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.