Kidney disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right kidney disability and to determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a service-connected disability caused by asbestos exposure at the time of his death, and therefore, he would not have prevailed on his accrued benefits claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam and a confirmed diagnosis of coronary artery disease, which is shown to have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's kidney cancer and subsequent left nephrectomy are related to in-service exposure to asbestos, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a kidney disability is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined with his education and occupational experience, do not preclude him from participating in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for renal cell carcinoma, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's residuals of genitourinary tuberculosis, including bilateral tuberculosis epididymectomy, tuberculosis prostate, and status post heminephrectomy are manifested by voiding dysfunction requiring the wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than four times per day, non-complete atrophy of both testes, and a painful nephrectomy scar. A 60 percent rating is granted for these residuals.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and ensuring all applicable laws and regulations are considered.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher evaluation for diabetes and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being remanded to allow for additional development of the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, skin disability, bladder disability, kidney disability, liver disability, headaches, hypertension, and GERD. The decision did not address any presumptive exposure to herbicides or other specific exposures.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information provided by the appellant and her son regarding the Veteran's service, exposure history, and potential causes of death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from clostridium difficile colitis and renal failure. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for right renal artery stenosis, but the claims for a genitourinary disorder other than right renal artery stenosis, hypertension, and hypercoagulability disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic renal cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for asthma, chest pain, central scotoma, or congenital absence of left kidney. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of hepatitis or any liver, renal, or gallstone disability related to a disease or injury in active service.