Kidney disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran is seeking service connection for renal failure, which he claims was caused by exposure to Agent Orange and/or due to the use of Lithium prescribed by VA. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and to secure a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his renal failure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and thus service connection for the cause of his death is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney disease, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were all denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The February 2004 rating decision denying this claim is final.

The Board found that a chronic right kidney disability, characterized as hydronephrosis of the right kidney, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney stones, a bladder disability, and an enlarged prostate are denied as there is no competent evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma and metastatic lung carcinoma are found to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for both conditions.