The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals, left shoulder disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder are not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his delayed diagnosis of bladder cancer. Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions were more probative than the Veteran's assertions regarding causation, and the gaps in treatment and continuity of symptoms did not support service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Bladder cancer residuals, Left shoulder disorder, Gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD and gastroenteritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19116408
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19116408.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded because they are inextricably intertwined with the implementation of his award for chronic osteomyelitis of the right lower extremity with a BKA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GERD, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, hip conditions, and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion to address the etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder cancer residuals and hearing loss, have been found to be sufficient for a TDIU since April 17, 2018. Effective from that date, the Veteran also has basic eligibility to Dependents' Education Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
- Granted
The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals, hypothyroidism, and arteriosclerotic heart disease have been granted service connection. The Veteran is rated at a 40% for his bladder cancer residuals.
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