The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service connected. The cause of death due to sepsis and bladder cancer was not attributed to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, schizophrenia, or right shoulder dislocation and acromioclavicular separation. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to August 3, 2010, for a psychiatric disorder. DIC benefits were denied as the cause of death was not attributed to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service connected due to lack of evidence and no indication that it began during or within one year after his separation from service in 1956. The cause of death, sepsis and underlying bladder cancer, was not attributed to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) or right shoulder dislocation and acromioclavicular separation.
- Claimed conditions
- Bladder cancer, Psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), Right shoulder dislocation and acromioclavicular separation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 15, 2015
- Citation
- 1525528
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 1525528.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, and gouty arthropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran's request for a referral to a urologist for ED is also remanded. A VA medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gouty arthropathy and his service-connected conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder and kidney cancer were dismissed as the Notice of Disagreement was not filed within one year of the denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and diabetes mellitus, Type II are remanded due to errors in the VA opinion regarding exposure to herbicides and toxic substances during his military service.
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.