The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer was reopened, and he is now receiving a 60 percent rating effective February 27, 2018. The effective dates for service connection for diabetic nephropathy and scar, residual prostate cancer are also set to this date. An increased rating of 80 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is granted as of the same date. TDIU due to diabetes mellitus is granted starting from February 27, 2018, and SMC is granted effective from February 27, 2018 through June 30, 2020.
The deciding factor: New evidence was received that relates to the unestablished fact of bladder cancer being incurred in service. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy and scar, residual prostate cancer were granted effective from February 27, 2018, as there is no prior claim for these conditions. The increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer is based on the use of a cystostomy bag, which was noted during VA examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- Bladder cancer, Diabetic nephropathy, Scar, residual prostate cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20042936
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 20042936.
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.
- 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.
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