The appeal for service connection for bladder cancer is dismissed.,From February 7, 2013 and prior to January 26, 2021, an increased rating (in excess of 20 percent) for bilateral hearing loss is denied. From January 26, 2021, a higher rating (in excess of 40 percent) for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.,Prior to January 1, 2015, an increased TDIU rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was granted service connection for bladder cancer in April 2021, which rendered the appeal moot as it pertained to a previously resolved issue.,The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating (in excess of 20 percent) for bilateral hearing loss from February 7, 2013 and prior to January 26, 2021. From January 26, 2021 onwards, the Veteran's hearing acuity worsened, but still did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was gainfully employed until December 31, 2014 and thus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to January 1, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- Bladder cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21077115
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 21077115.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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