The Board has dismissed the appellant's claims for DIC benefits and an earlier effective date for service connection due to the Veteran's cause of death, as DIC is already awarded based on hypertension. The claim for service connection was denied in April 2006 and became final. The appellant did not file another claim within a year of the June 6, 2017 Intent to File.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appellant's claims were moot due to the already awarded DIC benefits based on hypertension, and there was no new evidence or change in circumstances warranting an earlier effective date for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic bladder cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2019
- Citation
- A19001541
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 A19001541.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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.