Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to new evidence, including a VHA opinion. The Veteran's claim remains pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and kidney disorder are not related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and National Guard service treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bladder cancer with renal insufficiency is less likely as not caused by or a result of military service, to include exposure to asbestos and chemicals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones and a skin disorder, claimed as eczema and psoriasis. The claim of reopening the diabetes mellitus and transurethral resection of the bladder neck and prostate with chronic cystitis was reopened but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue with the notice of disagreement and the need for appropriate action by VA following receipt of the appellant's November 1991 notice of disagreement.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active service, and no presumptive exposure to herbicides is applicable. The claims for COPD, liver disability, skin cancer, and bladder and kidney disability are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the nature of his diabetes mellitus and skin cancer diagnoses, and determine if he is entitled to presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected low back condition may have aggravated his pre-existing chronic kidney disease, warranting service connection for the kidney condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for lung, sinus, and renal conditions. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's kidney stones with microscopic hematuria.

The Board found that the disease or injury causing the Veteran's death was not incurred in service, and no presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure were established. The cause of death is listed as a bowel perforation due to septic shock/liver failure with underlying causes of end stage renal failure and lupus.

The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 17, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disorder due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for renal disease prior to a decision being made.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cancer, which occurred after a left nephrectomy, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his personnel records and scheduling a hearing.