{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/bladder-neoplasm","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:25.367Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Bladder neoplasm","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1542,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":34.7,"denied_pct":17.8,"remanded_pct":45.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":66.1,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":54,"granted_pct":13,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":53.7},{"year":2018,"issues":119,"granted_pct":17.6,"denied_pct":22.7,"remanded_pct":58},{"year":2019,"issues":209,"granted_pct":16.7,"denied_pct":22,"remanded_pct":59.3},{"year":2020,"issues":270,"granted_pct":19.3,"denied_pct":22.2,"remanded_pct":58.1},{"year":2021,"issues":227,"granted_pct":64.3,"denied_pct":7.5,"remanded_pct":26},{"year":2022,"issues":164,"granted_pct":48.8,"denied_pct":13.4,"remanded_pct":31.1},{"year":2023,"issues":163,"granted_pct":39.9,"denied_pct":11.7,"remanded_pct":45.4},{"year":2024,"issues":133,"granted_pct":36.1,"denied_pct":16.5,"remanded_pct":42.9},{"year":2025,"issues":160,"granted_pct":37.5,"denied_pct":18.8,"remanded_pct":41.9},{"year":2026,"issues":60,"granted_pct":41.7,"denied_pct":23.3,"remanded_pct":31.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":57.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":131,"granted_pct_with":79.8,"granted_pct_without":64.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":766,"granted_pct_with":54.7,"granted_pct_without":78.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":284,"granted_pct_with":87.3,"granted_pct_without":57.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":565,"granted_pct_with":49.7,"granted_pct_without":77},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":557,"granted_pct_with":74.1,"granted_pct_without":60.3},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":116,"granted_pct_with":74.4,"granted_pct_without":65.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":987,"granted_pct_with":55.8,"granted_pct_without":85.5},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":43,"granted_pct_with":71.4,"granted_pct_without":65.9},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":96,"granted_pct_with":70.7,"granted_pct_without":65.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":124},{"reason":"veteran diagnosed with bladder cancer","decisions":20},{"reason":"presumed exposure to herbicide agents","decisions":17},{"reason":"veteran served in vietnam","decisions":12},{"reason":"presumed exposure to herbicide agents due to vietnam service","decisions":11},{"reason":"presumption of herbicide exposure due to vietnam service","decisions":9}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":33},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":32},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":31},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":24},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":10},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":9}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039294","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"Presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.; Veteran qualified as Nehmer class member.; Effective date of November 29, 2020, granted."},{"case_id":"A26035456","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"Veteran's testimony regarding herbicide exposure in Panama is credible.; TERA memorandum supports herbicide exposure.; Bladder cancer is associated with herbicide exposure.; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26035254","year":2026,"judge":"MARCUS N. FULTON","rationale":"Death certificate and medical opinion suggest active malignancy; Resolving doubt in veteran's favor; 100 percent rating warranted for active malignancy"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040611","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. WILSON","rationale":"No assertion of in-service onset; VA examiner opinion found less likelihood of service connection; Opinion based on lack of evidence linking TERA to bladder cancer; Veteran has extensive smoking history"},{"case_id":"A26033022","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"No new and relevant evidence submitted; Veteran's testimony did not address bladder tumor; Readjudication not warranted"},{"case_id":"A26031052","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"No competent evidence of in-service incurrence.; No evidence of toxic exposure or contaminated water.; No persuasive medical or lay evidence linking condition to service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}